Patriotism and Citizenship in Rousseau: A Dual Theory of Public Willing?

Abstract

When discussing citizenship Rousseau insists on the primacy of instrumental and discursive reasoning, whereas when discussing patriotism he accords primacy to intrinsic reasons of sentiment. The essay explores the different meanings of the two concepts and points to their inherent tension as well as to the possibility of their coming into conflict. It finds that Rousseau, evidently doubting the adequacy of instrumental reasons as explanations or justifications of political commitment, tends to elevate intrinsic sentiment above discursive rationality. Implicit therefore in Rousseau's position on patriotism and citizenship, the essay concludes, is not merely the potential of a dual theory of political willing and political rationality but also the potential of a threat to rational discourse as a mode of determining and accounting for political action.