Single Idea 7244

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / d. General will]

Full Idea

The general will studies only common interest, while the will of all studies private interest, and is indeed no more than the sum of individual desires.

Gist of Idea

The general will is common interest; the will of all is the sum of individual desires

Source

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], II.03)

Book Reference

Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Social Contract', ed/tr. Cranston,Maurice [Penguin 1972], p.72


A Reaction

This invites the obvious liberal response (given later by utilitarians: Idea 3778) that there can be no more to any great 'will' than the sum of the individuals (which leads to Margaret Thatcher's famous 'there is no such thing as society').

Related Idea

Idea 3778 The community's interest is a sum of individual interests [Bentham]