Final answer:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau differentiates between the sovereign, representing the general will of the people, and the government, tasked with executing that will. The government must act in accordance with the general will to remain legitimate, diverging from Hobbes' view of an absolute monarchy. Rousseau champions the democratic principle of governance by the people, for the common good.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau distinguishes between sovereign and government in a society. According to him, the sovereign is the collective body of the citizens, expressing the general will, which is the will of the people aiming for the common good. In contrast, the government is an intermediary body established to execute and enforce the laws in line with the general will. The two are related as the government derives its authority from the sovereign; it must reflect the general will and ensure the freedom and equality of its citizens. If the government deviates from this role, it loses its legitimacy and right to exist, according to Rousseau.
Rousseau's views on governance and the relationship between sovereign and government are in opposition to the authoritarian stance of Hobbes, who posited absolute monarchy as the best form of government to maintain order and protect people from their own selfish natures. Unlike Hobbes, Rousseau emphasized that a legitimate government is contingent upon serving the general will and not the interests of a monarch or a ruling class.
As a proponent of direct democracy, Rousseau advocated for a political structure where the people exercise collective control over their governance, standing in sharp contrast to monarchies justified by divine right. His ideas were foundational to modern democratic principles, emphasizing the importance of a government's responsibility to its people and the right of the people to control their own government.