Discussion Questions on Rousseau's Social Contract

1. Rousseau is concerned with the question of how government can be legitimate. Why does he believe that most governments are not legitimate? Why is it hard for government to be legitimate?

2. What is the general will? What entity or entities possess the general will? How is the general will determined? What does the general will will?

3. Rousseau believes that moral freedom is only possible within a state governed by the general will. Why?

4. How does Rousseau's social contract compare to Hobbes's?