Final answer:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's democracy would be managed by citizens through direct participation in a system known as direct democracy, reflecting the general will of the people rather than being governed by elected representatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Jean-Jacques Rousseau's concept of democracy, the government would be run directly by the citizens of the state rather than through representatives. Rousseau believed that a legitimate political order could only arise from what he called the general will of the people. This general will is the collective decision-making of the entire populace, with each person having a direct hand in the legislative process.
Rousseau advocated for a direct democracy, where citizens are deeply and actively involved in making decisions that affect the general welfare. This form of government contrasts with representative democracy, where citizens elect officials who make decisions on their behalf. Rousseau argued that such representation was akin to slavery, as it relinquished the individual's ability to rule oneself. Thus, leadership positions, especially those requiring specific talents and skills, should still be elected by the majority, but the decisions made should always reflect the collective will.
Rousseau's direct democracy focuses on protecting individual liberties and fostering civic virtue through widespread participation and a system of civic education. According to Rousseau, leaders are temporary and could be replaced by the citizens when it serves the community's good. His political philosophy emphasizes that governance should be responsive to the general will, and oppressive governments should be reformed by the people themselves, holding the general welfare above narrow self-interests.