An Analysis Of Rousseau’s Theory Of General Will

Rousseau’s democratic ideology is a key to open a new era. His theory of social contract exudes a democratic sense of freedom everywhere, his people’s sovereignty theory is even important as the cornerstone of modern democratic system. If we want to understand the theory of social contract, we shall know the general will first, because the general will is always running through the social contract theory since it is the most fundamental and indispensable important for the theory of social contract. As the essence of political and law thought of Rousseau, the general will has always been a debating and immortal subject among domestic and abroad scholars. Some people deny it because of its cruel of nothing, and others praise it and think of it as destruction of pearl. Such as Jurgen Habermas, Bernard Bosanquet and other scholars, they inherited and developed the theory of general will based on Rousseau’s and formed their own theory of general will. As a strong advocate of Rousseau’s theory of general will, author also believes that general will really exists.This article is for the purpose of thinking and proposing the question from public debate of the theory, such as "how correct look upon is Rousseau’s theory of general will?" The author looks over the investigation data first, and analyzes the research status of the general will theory including domestic and abroad. And then from the beginning of Rousseau’s theory of general will, the author compares the different kinds of wills like individual, public or group will and does the research of every theory to understand the connotation and importance of theory of general will. And also through its historical background and thought origin, social impact of the general will theory, the diiffculties that it has been faced，the author aims to fully understandthe general will theory. Although the formation processing of the general will theoryand some relatived important problems has failed to click into place, the author stillhope that through her own research result, we can see the connotation of the generalwill theory and find the social value of general will theory, which will provide aimportant basis for the future research.