Final answer:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for a direct democracy where the government acts on the 'general will' of the people, ensuring their freedom and equality. His vision rejected the idea of a representative government, which he saw as a form of slavery, and promoted a government responsive to its citizens. Rousseau's work offered a fundamental critique of social contracts and influenced political thought.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote extensively about the concept of government and its role in society. In his seminal work, The Social Contract, Rousseau proposed that government should operate in a way that safeguards the equality and character of its citizens. He was a proponent of the idea that while 'man is born free,' he is often 'in chains' due to oppressive governments. Rousseau's solution was a form of direct democracy in which the citizens exercise their sovereignty directly rather than through representatives, which he equated to a form of slavery.
Contrary to figures like John Locke, who advocated for a representative government and influenced the foundations of American democracy, Rousseau argued that the true government should enact the 'general will' of the people, ensuring perfect freedom and equality. He critiqued conventional social contracts, suggesting that the common people were deceived by the elite, leading to civil societies that failed to represent their interests. His vision leaned heavily on the concept of direct democracy, reminiscent of the practices in ancient Greece, where the collective citizens formed a governing body responsive to the 'general will'.
Rousseau's thoughts were radical during his time and remain influential today. They offer an alternative perspective on the structure of society and the nature of government, emphasizing the need for governments to be truly representative of and responsive to the needs and will of the people.