Rousseau argues that the General Will represents the collective interest. If a minority finds itself in opposition, it is because they have failed to perceive the true General Will. By conforming to the General Will, the minority is essentially obeying their own higher rational self, thereby remaining free within the social contract.

Rousseau argues in 'The Social Contract' that as the state grows in population and territory, the government must become more concentrated to maintain efficiency. He posits that a larger state requires a smaller number of magistrates to ensure decisive action and prevent the dilution of executive authority, which he believes is necessary to balance the sovereign power of the people.

Rousseau famously argued in 'The Social Contract' that surrendering one's freedom to an absolute master is a contradiction that yields no benefit. He believed that such a surrender is null and void because it strips the individual of their moral agency and humanity, leaving them with nothing of true value.

Rousseau argued that as the human population grew, the scarcity of resources and the emergence of private property created inequality and conflict. These developments disrupted the relative harmony of the state of nature. To protect their property and manage the complexities of a larger, more competitive society, individuals entered into a social contract to establish a state that would provide security and order.

Rousseau posits that the General Will is always right because it represents the collective interest of the citizens aimed at the common good. Unlike the 'will of all,' which is merely the sum of private interests, the General Will is infallible in its orientation toward justice and the welfare of the entire political community.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a key figure in the development of natural rights theory. While John Locke is often cited as the father of classical liberalism and natural rights, Rousseau's work on the 'general will' and the inherent freedom of individuals in the state of nature significantly shaped the discourse on rights that exist prior to the formation of political society.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau died on July 2, 1778, at Ermenonville, France. His death occurred shortly before the French Revolution, an event his political writings would significantly influence. He was initially buried on the Île des Peupliers, but his remains were later moved to the Panthéon in Paris.

In 'The Social Contract', Rousseau categorizes aristocracy into three types: natural, elective, and hereditary. He argues that elective aristocracy is the best form because it allows for the selection of the most capable and virtuous individuals to govern, rather than relying on chance or birthright. This aligns with his preference for governance structures that reflect the general will and merit.

The General Will refers to the collective desires and interests of a community, viewed as a unified, rational, and living entity. It is not simply the sum of individual desires or a simple majority vote, but rather a higher-level concept that represents the common good and the moral unity of the body politic.

Rousseau argued that surrendering liberty to an absolute ruler is fundamentally irrational and immoral. He believed that such a surrender provides no security or benefit, as the ruler's power is arbitrary and does not serve the general will. For Rousseau, giving up freedom is equivalent to giving up one's humanity and moral agency.