Rousseau's General Will and Social Contract
루소의 일반의지와 사회계약론
A seminal political philosophy thesis asserting that legitimate political authority rests on a social contract governed by the General Will (*volonté générale*) aiming at the common good, uniting freedom with civic duty.
| Field | Philosophy · Political Science |
|---|---|
| Level of analysis | Macro · Structures & Institutions |
| Paradigm | Idealism Virtue Ethics |
| Key figures | 👤 Jean-Jacques Rousseau (장자크 루소) |
| Year | 1762 |
Key Claims
Jean-Jacques Rousseau distinguished the General Will (volonté générale—aiming at common interest) from the mere ‘will of all’ (volonté de tous—sum of private interests). By alienating individual rights to the sovereign collective, citizens obey only themselves and remain as free as before.
Further Reading
- Rousseau, J.-J. (1762). Du contrat social; ou, Principes du droit politique.
Related theories 2개
A foundational democratic theory defining real-world functioning democracies not as idealized rule by all, but as "polyarchies" characterized by high levels of public contestation and broad citizen participation.
A foundational deontological moral philosophy asserting that actions are morally right only if motivated by duty conforming to unconditional categorical imperatives that respect human autonomy as an end in itself.