Jean-Jacques Rousseau (theory of social contract)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's social contract theory suggests that individuals come together to form a society by collectively agreeing on rules that promote the common good. In doing so, they give up some personal freedoms to establish a government that protects everyone's rights and ensures justice. This contract balances individual freedom with social order, emphasizing that legitimate authority arises from the consent of the governed. Rousseau believed that true freedom is found through participation in collective decision-making, fostering equality and the common interest, which leads to a genuine and just society.