The Jean Jacques Rousseau Concept of the General Will: A Critique

Abstract

Man is born free but he is everywhere in chains. There was need then to form a political organism known as the general will. As a political organism, the features include the guarantee of personal and social freedom, infallibility, representative democracy and public deliberations, and a glaring colossal confusion over what the ‘will of all’ is and that of the general will. Therefore, the main questions begging for answers in this work include what is the general will according to Rousseau? Is it a collective will or an independent organism different from individual will? What constitute Rousseau’s general will? Aim of the study is to examine the concept of general will in Jean Jacques Rousseau. The study adopts a qualitative textual analytical research method. The study argue that Rousseau general will theory is systematic and outlines of how a government could exist in such a way that it protects the equality and character of its citizens. The study recommends that presentday political societies ought to embrace Rousseau general will theory and voluntarism.