Full Idea
The problem is to find a form of association which protects with all common forces the person and goods of each associate, by means of which each one, while uniting with all, nevertheless obeys only himself and remains as free as before.
Gist of Idea
We need a protective association which unites forces, but retains individual freedom
Source
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], I.6)
Book Reference
Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.148
A Reaction
This is the clear purpose of Rousseau's famous concept of the General Will. The idea is that you submit to the general will because you helped formulate it, so you remain free. It is a lovely idea, but notoriously difficult to implement.
Related Idea
Idea 19792 To overcome obstacles, people must unite their forces into a single unified power [Rousseau]