The General Will

While not a book with this exact title, the concept of "The General Will" is central to Jean-Jacques Rousseau's political philosophy, particularly in his work "The Social Contract".

Rousseau argues that legitimate political authority derives from the general will of the people, representing the collective good.

This general will is not simply the sum of individual wills but a higher principle aimed at the common good.

Rousseau's ideas have been highly influential in shaping democratic thought, but they have also been subject to criticism for their potential to justify authoritarianism in the name of the collective.