Final answer:
According to Rousseau, the main idea behind the social contract is that individuals willingly sacrifice some freedoms to form a society governed by the general will. The government's role is to protect people's rights and freedoms, and decisions are made collectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main idea behind the social contract, according to Rousseau, is that individuals willingly give up some of their freedoms in order to form a society that is governed by the general will. This means that decisions are made collectively, with each individual having an equal say in the governing process.
Rousseau believed that the social contract is an agreement between the people and the government, where the government's role is to protect the rights and freedoms of the people. He argued that the social contract allows individuals to live in a just society, where everyone is equal and their rights are respected.
For example, in a democracy, citizens come together to elect representatives who will make decisions on their behalf. This system is based on the social contract, as individuals have willingly given up some of their autonomy to participate in the governance of the country.
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