Full Idea
There is no such thing as one monolithic 'people' (every society has its diversity), nor is there anything that could be described as a 'national gut feeling'.
Gist of Idea
There are no united monolothic 'peoples', and no 'national gut feelings'
Source
David van Reybrouck (Against Elections [2013], 2 'populism')
A Reaction
Rousseau yearned for a republic no bigger than Geneva. I don't see why we should give up on the general will in huge modern societies. It is likely, though, to be an anodyne lowest common denominator. No bad thing, perhaps.
Book Reference
Reybrouck,David van: 'Against Elections', ed/tr. Waters,Liz [Bodley Head 2016], p.18