key term - General will

Definition

General will is the collective interest or common good that is shared by all members of a society, as opposed to individual interests. It is a concept central to social contract theory, suggesting that laws and governance should reflect the general will of the people to ensure fairness and justice.

Related terms

Social Contract:

A theoretical agreement within a society in which individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some of their freedoms in exchange for protection of essential rights and maintenance of social order.

Common Good:

The benefit or interests of all participants in a society; often used as a principle for justifying governmental actions intended to be beneficial for the entire community.

Sovereignty:

The ultimate authority within a territory, possessing full control over its own affairs without external interference; in democratic societies, sovereignty resides with the people