Final answer:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that economic inequality stems from the institution of private property and societal structures that impede equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that economic inequality stems from the institution of private property and the resulting accumulation of wealth by a minority, leading to a disparity in power and freedom. In his work The Social Contract, Rousseau outlines a vision for a government that protects equality and the character of its citizens. He posits that man is born free but is subsequently put in chains by societal structures. Rousseau believed that laws made by a collective should secure the general will, serve the true good of each person, and reduce income inequality while cultivating civic virtue. He critiqued the idea of a market economy for exacerbating poverty and inequality, often associated with capitalist systems and the protection of property rights that favor wealth creation for a select few but not the general populace. Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that economic inequality stems from private property and the emergence of civil society. In his work, particularly in the "Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men" (also known as the "Second Discourse"), Rousseau theorized that in the state of nature, humans were relatively equal. However, the introduction of private property and the establishment of social structures, including civil society and government, led to the development of economic inequality. Rousseau believed that the institution of private property created distinctions between individuals, contributing to social divisions and economic disparities. His ideas on the impact of private property and civil society on inequality have been influential in political philosophy and discussions about the nature of social contracts and governance.