Rousseau and the General Will: The Balance of Governance

This chapter explores Rousseau's concept of the general will and its implications for liberty, equality, and governance. The speakers engage in a critical discussion about the role of public opinion in shaping just laws, the complexities of interpreting morality, and the tension between individual rights and collective decision-making. They examine various government forms, debating the merits and shortcomings of democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy while highlighting the influence of wealth and power disparities on authority and governance.