Why did Jean Jacques Rousseau mean by the “general will”
The political preference of the public
The decision of the legislature
The desires of the king
The inalienable rights of individuals
1 answer
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's concept of the "general will" refers to the collective, common or general desire or interest of the citizens of a society. It is the will of the people as a whole, representing what is in the best interest of the entire community. According to Rousseau, the general will is not equivalent to the mere sum of individual wills or preferences; instead, it represents the highest and most rational form of social decision-making. The general will, in Rousseau's view, serves as the foundation for the establishment of a legitimate and just political order. It is important to note that Rousseau believed that the general will is not always accurately reflected in the decisions of the legislature or the desires of the king, as those entities may be influenced by their own interests rather than the common good.