The Review Of Rousseau's Thoughts On "General Will"

The Social Contract theories are those systematic theories about nation's origin and ideal politics which are put forward by thinkers in western politics in modern times.It was founded initially by Hobbes,developing by Locke,got completed by Rousseau.Particularly,Rousseau's Social Contract was paid much attention to by Chinese and Western academic research circles, whose general will,as the initiation and core of Social Contract,is a hot issue.However,it launched the offensive around the conception of general will,the people's sovereignty and general will,as well as the influence on political practice.The general will is the core of Rousseau's democracy theories;people's sovereignty doctrine is the quintessence of Rousseau's political thoughts;liberty and equality is the objective of Rousseau's political thoughts.They are closely related relationship,and significant part of Rousseau's political theories.This paper takes Rousseau's Social Contract as a blueprint;the general will as a breakthrough,compared general will with other related conception.It also search on the difference and similarity of Rousseau's Social Contract,Hobbes's as well as Locke's,in order to probe the status of general will on Rousseau's political thoughts.Eventually, it is concluded different opinions on this issue by international scholars,troubles of Rousseau's general will are disclosed by this paper.Rousseau's thoughts on general will make a pave for revolution of bourgeoisie and constitutional government movement,and it also provides the theoretical source for following Capitalism and Socialism thinkers.His idea enlightened the general will and democracy construction.However,it is not enough to pursue the general will in surface,for the reason that nation lack of guarantee of human rights is likely to autocracy and dictatorship.In a word,it is impossible for a nation's smooth development and citizen society's accomplishment,without achievement of personal liberty.