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In the 1790’s, the French Revolution began. What was supposed to be a triumph of enlightenment thinking and liberalism turned to The Terror. Countless people was beheaded by the guillotine. What was a victory for the Jacobins in an attempt to build an egalitarian society quickly became tyrannical and despotic. We can see the elements of the terror with the current regime in eBelgium.

The Jacobins were highly influenced by the philosophies of Rousseau. While the government and their agents claim to be Marxist, they are not communist/ socialist as the game does not permit the class system as per Marxism. The game is very communistic especially in the form of the Military Unit which satisfies many of the critiques of the Marxist. Karl Marx also did not write and discuss much about politics. He was the kind if philosopher who wrote in detail of the things he dislike but did not offer a comprehensive vision of the end result. This gap is evident as the government use Marxist rhetoric but lack any real political policies and end goals. Therefore, the current eBelgian government is not Marxist but the in game version of the Jacobins. While they evoke the rhetoric of Marx, their philosophy and action resembles that of Rousseau than of Marx and Engels.

Forced to be Free

Let’s explore the ideals of Rousseau. First, Rousseau argues for the social contract which is he argues that “the state is achievable by means of ‘the total alienation of each associate with all of his rights to the whole community’ and by this act all achieve perfect equality, or ‘union’. By giving up oneself totally, to all, and this being done by all, to you, ‘one gains the equivalent of all one loses, and more force to preserve what one has’ This union of ‘indivisible parts of the whole’ is what Rousseau calls the ‘ Republic or… body politic , which its members call State when it is passive, Sovereign when active’ The individual man therefore, being part of this body, becomes as much concerned of the Sovereign as with his own life, as they are united by the common sharing of interests and rights. In this way, if one were to harm the body politic, they would be harming themselves, the citizen.”

Rousseau also place the General Will (the will of the collective society) over that of the Particular Will or preservation-driven amour de soi (a love of the self) and pride-driven amour propre (selfish love). While Rousseau acknowledge for all humans to be inclined with the Particular Will, he argues a healthy state is one that people will value and place the common good and will over that of the personal.

Lastly, we will explore the Rousseau’s ideas of freedom. Rousseau in regards to society does not evoke the ideals of natural freedom as in the state of nature. We gave up the right to do whatever we want when we join a social contract. Therefore, the ideal condition and the concept of freedom itself changed. Since the ideal state and social contract is based on the general will. That means the laws and rules are prescribed by all as you are a part of the General Will. Therefore, you are free both in regards to civilly freedom and moral freedom.

With that said, this is why the terror took place. For any citizens who violate the will of the state, they go against the General Will. For Rousseau, “wrong-doers” who goes against the general will are ignorant and must be set back on the right path even if they resist. For Rousseau, these people does not know how to be free as they go against the rules which “they agreed and prescribed to.” Therefore, it makes sense for the state to “force people to be free.”

The terror led to many people executed via the guillotine. It is the ideals of Rousseau that led to many people being killed in the name of freedom. For the General Will. People are being kill for freedom and the killing of the victim itself is an act of freedom for the beheaded. While the game does not deal with the issues of life and death, we can see a lot of common traits where the anti-establishment faction resembles the Jacobins.

First, we can look at the rhetoric. Most if not all of their rhetoric and tone is to seek freedom and liberation. Their freedom is very different from the liberal traditions of freedom but that of a state/ social contract that conforms to their world view. Anyone who opposed them is viewed as hostile and reactionary. When they failed to achieve their freedom in the Rousseauian notion, they forced eBelgium to be free via PTO’s and illegal citizenship. Insult and attacking other player was the norm. It is ironic that they see themselves as the General Will. Despite losing every public referendum that Lin0lium set up, they hold true to their views. Despite an overwhelming number of the community support the idea of an open border etc, they viewed the results as invalid. They create fake pretenses about the corrupt and evil notions of the forum as it is hostile towards the General Will. Instead of being a part of the traditional liberal democracy established years ago, they literally prescribe their own rules which is advantageous to them.

The purging of FilipuBajsic is evident of punishing those who violated the General Will. We can look at the internal discussion between Vincent Pain and FilipuBajsic.





Vincent Pain’s reaction is very clear. While the President have every right to fire cabinet members who made a huge mistake; however, Vincent Pain’s reaction is demonstrates scored and rage. How dare FilipuBajsic went against the interest of the General Will. Vincent Pain declares “I do not want FilipuBajsic in the Government” while giving the choice for Ares to choose. Despite this, he demands for FilipuBajsic to be kicked out and alienated from the state. FilipuBajsic was not fired because he made a mistake but he went against the General Will. He went against freedom and the people and this is why he was rudely cast out by Vincent Pain and the government.

In closing, the anti-establish faction are not Marxist. In my opinion, they are much worse. They cannot be reasoned with as they are so bounded by their views. Also, despite numbers and statistics, they will claim to have the General Will and all those who are against them are not free. This is a form of delusion and they will do everything they can to force their views on to all people against their will in the name of freedom. They do not mind using unethical and unmoral methods to secure their freedom. Whereas Marx tries to create a form of Utopia, the eJacobins desires to dominate your views and will. Those who do not comply will be alienated and ostracized. For they claim to know what is in your best interest. You are too ignorant to understand what is ideal for yourself. They will make you free like it or not. The revolution will not be televised for it is in itself reactionary. While they like to evoke the language of Marx in their rhetoric. They proclaim "Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!" with great furor as they prepare your head for the guillotine for your freedom.

*THUMP*