What did Jean-Jacques Rousseau mean by the “general will”?(1 point) Responses the decisions of the legislature the decisions of the legislature the political preference of the public the political preference of the public the desires of the king the desires of the king the inalienable rights of individuals
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a influential philosopher of the Enlightenment era, introduced the concept of the "general will." According to Rousseau, the general will refers to the collective desires and interests of the citizens in a society. It represents the ideal common good and aims to promote the welfare and interests of the whole community rather than the specific interests of individuals or factions.
To understand what Rousseau meant by the general will, one can refer to his major work, "The Social Contract." In this book, Rousseau argues that individuals in society should voluntarily give up some of their individual freedoms in order to form a collective body that works towards the common good. The general will arises when individuals come together as a community, participating in the decision-making process to create laws and policies that advance the welfare of all.
To fully grasp Rousseau's concept of the general will, it is recommended to read his works or study his philosophy in greater depth. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of his ideas and how they relate to political theory and societal governance.