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
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.
Jean Jacques Rousseau's concept of the "general will" refers to the collective and common interest or desire of a society as a whole. According to Rousseau, the general will represents the true and best interests of the community, separate from the particular desires of individuals or groups within the society.
The general will is not synonymous with the political preferences of the public, as it aims to transcend individual and factional interests to focus on the broader common good. It is not a decision of the legislature or any governing body, as Rousseau believed that the general will should be determined through direct democratic participation by the citizens themselves.
Rousseau also emphasized that the general will is not synonymous with the desires of the king or any individual ruler. Instead, the general will represents the interests and needs of the entire society, giving equal consideration to the rights and well-being of all individuals.
Lastly, although Rousseau's concept of the general will emphasizes the common interests of the society, it does not negate the importance of protecting the inalienable rights of individuals. In fact, Rousseau argued that the general will should encompass and protect the fundamental rights and liberties of all citizens. The general will, therefore, acts as a collective expression of individual rights and seeks to ensure their preservation within the social contract.
Jean Jacques Rousseau's concept of the "general will" refers to the collective and common interests of a society as a whole. According to Rousseau, the general will represents the ideal political preference of the public rather than the desires of any specific individual or group.
To understand Rousseau's idea of the "general will," you can look into his book called "The Social Contract." In this work, Rousseau argues that the general will is the result of a democratic process in which individuals come together to form a self-governing community. The general will is determined by the majority of citizens, and it reflects the common good and the common interests of the society.
It is important to note that the general will is different from the decision of the legislature or the desires of the king. While the legislature represents the decision-making body within a government system, and the desires of the king represent the interests of a single individual, the general will aims to express the collective interests and well-being of the entire society.
In addition, Rousseau believed in the idea of inalienable rights of individuals. These are fundamental rights that belong to every person and cannot be taken away or given up. Examples of such rights include freedom, equality, and property. Rousseau argued that the general will should respect and uphold these inalienable rights while pursuing the common good.
To understand Rousseau's perspective further, reading his original works such as "The Social Contract" can provide more insights into his views on the general will, political preference, the relationship between individuals and the state, and the concept of inalienable rights.