The savages of North America still govern themselves in this manner, and are very well governed. Rousseau's observation suggests that a society governed by priests and elders takes advantage of tradition and accumulated wisdom to maintain order, which he essentially equates to the good. Rousseau had already concluded that European societies had become corrupted by the abandonment of the tribal hierarchy in favor of one established by force and coercion. What he failed to understand is the very natural tendency of societies to evolve in this direction. Communitarian societies exposed to strong external competition and environmental pressures drift into hierarchies dominated by warrior-chieftains.
Privilege then yields oppression as certainly as day yields to night.
Text prepared by Edward J. Dodson for The American Revolution - an .HTML project. All rights reserved.