Social Progressions Essay Example

argument, every individual in this state is treated equally and bound by the Law of Nature, the moral foundation given by God, which commands us to preserve mankind. Man in this state lives as an isolated animal solely existing based on instincts and desires after leaving the protective family unit and choosing solitary living.

The formation of social contracts and the general will is based on man's innate social nature, which fulfills his need for safety and peace. Throughout history, this social nature has been instrumental in shaping governments and uniting people. The concept of a social contract marks the beginning of modern society, where individuals come together to establish rules for protection and order. The agreement creates a new cohesive unit that works towards the common good, guided by a general will. According to Rousseau, this comes from man putting aside his egoism to collectively determine what is best for society as a whole, deviating from his natural state (Source: Wikipedia, "Social Contract").

The creation of social order and laws is a response to the disorderly conditions of nature, leading to a series of social contracts. The relationship between government and people is symbiotic, as the people define the government and the laws which shape their character. The social contract is an innate trait of humanity, with advanced intelligence enabling individuals to fully understand their situation. Natural instincts drive people to form alliances and groups that serve their best interests, particularly for protection and survival (source: Wikipedia, "Social Contract").

The concept of general will is the idea that a society is guided and unified by the collective interest of its people as a whole. It establishes political

legitimacy and the basis of laws by allowing a unified body to act towards their common preservation and general well-being. According to Rousseau, legitimate political authority arises from a social contract agreed upon by all citizens for their mutual preservation. As a concept, general will speaks to the good of society, and humans inherently understand and strive to implement it. (Rousseau 90)

Humans, as social beings, tend to group together and believe that their self-interest aligns with others'. This trait is innate from an early age and stems from the social contract between a mother and child. Through this bond, we learn the importance of the "general will" for our own well-being. However, conflicts arise due to individual complexities and agendas, leading to political struggles and ideological battles over competing views on what's best for everyone. While there may be instances where an individual's interests coincide with the general will, they cannot always represent the community's desires. As a result, sovereignty is absolute and cannot be represented by any other entity.

Rousseau argues that sovereignty should represent the interests of all citizens and cannot be fragmented. He distinguishes between individual wills and the general will, which focuses solely on common interests rather than private ones. According to Rousseau (146), the general will reflects the natural inclination of free individuals in a non-primitive society who assume everyone has similar motivations.

Sometimes, humans may disregard their ethical standards and pursue selfish desires. In specific circumstances, individuals can impose their own desires and enforce them on others without any alternatives or options. However, this does not qualify as general will, despite the collective being able to join together as a united

front. The idea of general will only functions effectively in small groups with uncomplicated values such as survival and safety. It is unlikely that general will could operate among larger populations.

At the start, humans live simply in a state of nature. This state only arises after individuals violate the social contract they entered with their parents. Once humans gather into groups and create a society, they form social contracts with each other and establish a general will. The general will serves as the foundation for modern governments and reflects a significant advancement from their early beginnings.