“Each of us puts in common his person and his whole power under the supreme direction of the general will” (Rousseau, p. 425). What is in the best interest of society and who will lead the general will has been debated throughout the history of civilization. Jean-Jacques Rousseau added to the debate by defining the general will and noting examples when variations of the general will can occur.
“It follows from what precedes that the general will is always upright and always tends toward the public utility; but it does not follow that the deliberations of the people always have the same rectitude” (Rousseau, p. 430). The general will is always morally superior to the majority will of the people. The general will supports what is in the best interests of the commonwealth, while the majority opinion can be manipulated and corrupted. Rousseau argues that private interests corrupt the will of the majority.
When groups and other organizations form and represent their own will “then there no longer is a general will, and the opinion which dominates is only a private opinion” (Rousseau, p. 431). The question remains as how the general will is formed. Rousseau argues that when informed peoples come together to deliberate that the general will would result. Depending on the size of the commonwealth the general will could be formed by a aristocracy, democracy, monarchy or a dictatorship.
Democracy will form for a state when a majority of its citizens are magistrates and not ‘simply individual citizens’ (Rousseau, p. 447). Rousseau argues that democracy is best suited for small states where the people are easily assembled and everyone knows each other. Rousseau is discussing a true democracy, where the people make the decisions directly, compared to a representative democracy or another mixed form of government.
In this form of democracy the people represent the general will, because they are an informed group of active citizens. Rousseau argues that the benefits of democracy are the best for any form of government, but also that democracy is ‘subject to civil wars and internal agitations’ (Rousseau, p. 448). Depending on the size of the commonwealth, aristocracy or monarchy might be the preferred form of government.
In an aristocratic form of government there are competing wills. The private wills of citizens and the will of the government which is often different then the will of the citizen. In an aristocracy it is the wealthy and elite who rule, so those are the ones who are guiding the general will, which makes aristocracy a less desirable form when compared to democracy.
Monarchy is also not desirable; it is when one individual is called upon to represent an entire entity (Rousseau, p. 450). The will of the individual in control will superseded all opposing wills, even the general will. Thus making democracy the most desirable form of government because is adequately represents the general will.
The general will is best represented by a true direct democracy. Even though that form of government will open itself up to opposition and in-fighting. “If there were a people of Gods, it would govern itself democratically. A Government so perfect is not suited to men” (Rousseau, p. 449).
Reference List
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. “Of the Social Contract or Principles of Political Right.” In Classics of Modern Political Theory, Steven M. Cahn. New York: Oxford University Press.
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