Single Idea 7250

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

Full Idea

The laws are nothing other than the authentic acts of the general will.

Gist of Idea

Laws are authentic acts of the general will

Source

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], III.12)

Book Reference

Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Basic Political Writings', ed/tr. Cress,Donald A. [Hackett 1987], p.195


A Reaction

I wonder how you tell whether an act of the general will is 'authentic'? Nevertheless, in a modern democracy there seems a lot of truth in it; when controversial legislation is in the offing, governments have to be very attentive to the people.