Final answer:
Rousseau viewed the Social Contract as a 'trick' by the rich to deceive commoners, undermining their freedoms. He advocated for a government that reflected the general will through direct democracy and active citizen participation. Rousseau opposed a civil society that perpetuated inequality and did not protect the general interest.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that the Social Contract between the rulers and the people was a 'trick' because the rich 'deceived' the commoners into letting them rule. His perspective was that rather than a voluntary pact, the contract was one where the common people were coerced, which did not represent their interests or protect their freedoms. In Rousseau's view, a legitimate government was one that secured the freedom of its citizens and operated on the general will. The idea of the general will emphasizes that the government should embody the collective interests of the people rather than the special interests of a privileged few.
Rousseau was critical of a civil society that allowed a disparity in wealth and power, often leading to a domination of the poor by the rich. He asserted that governments should enact laws that secure the general will, reduce income inequality, and promote a system of civic education to cultivate civic virtue. Beyond this, Rousseau was in favor of a direct democracy, which required citizens to actively participate in governance, as opposed to a representation system where they could delegate their civic duties.