Popular sovereignty and the right to revolt in the conception of the social contract by J.J. Rousseau

Abstract

The article deals in the key aspects of the concept of the social contract by J.J. Rousseau. According to which, a social contract is an unspoken agreement between individuals based on their voluntary choice, acceptance of a certain social order. The fairness of the social contract is ensured by the principle of equality of all before the law, which allows creating equal conditions for all, which in turn is a real common good, beneficial to everyone. As a result of the conclusion of a social contract, the people become the sovereign, the only legitimate bearer of supreme power in the state. People’s sovereignty is realized through the implementation of the general will, which reflects what is common in various individual interests, and is oriented towards the common good. The people as a sovereign can revise the forms of government and change them.
An important condition for compliance with the social contract and its effective functioning is reliance on the opinion and unanimous will of the majority and the requirement of obedience to it, even if it contradicts the individual will. Serving society and its interests should be the primary concern of citizens, who are required to have an active civic position, readiness and actual participation in the life of society, in lawmaking.