General Will

Rousseau’s General Will

Introduction to General Will

General Will, term popularized by the 18th-century French political philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau. In his book The Social Contract (1762), Rousseau defines the general will (volonté générale) as the civic impulses of citizens seeking to pursue the common good within their community. He contrasts the general will with the particular will of individuals seeking only their personal good. Rousseau argues that the general will of the people, not the individual will of a king or the particular wills of nobility or clergy, should produce the laws that govern that community. The concept of the general will exerted enormous influence during the French Revolution (1789-1799), which led to the overthrow of the French monarchy and aristocracy.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about General Will in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to General Will