in a communistic manner. To give absolute power to its government is the exact opposite of a democratic society. In a democratic government the political body has limited power. In America this is seen in the separation of powers into three bodies each sharing power with the others. Book I Chapter 7, titled “The Sovereign” encourages a more controlling government and society. In the last paragraph (Social, p.64) he shows the reader a necessity for force among those who disagree with the general will. Rousseau thinks that anyone who refuses to obey the general will should be forced to be free. Freedom exists only by living under the general will. He is claiming that the general will is always correct and should not tolerate anyone who disagrees. This is the perfect way to ensure a totalitarianistic society.Rousseau argues the need for force further in Book IV. He claims that there should be the social pact that requires voluntary and unanimous agreement between all. (Social, p.152) As long as everyone inhibits the state’s territory, they are consenting to the sovereign. If anyone in particular disagrees with the general will, they must be “forced to conform to the wills which are not his own.” (Social, p.153) Rousseau wants the opinion of the majority to force all others to understand and believe with them. Anyone unwilling to conform to the general will is never free. Just the word ‘conform’ gives direction to where Rousseau is headed with his thoughts. When anyone is forced to conform, all individuality is lost. Without the right to be an individual democracy does not exist. Justice does not allow forced conformity. This would be as if the United States government forced all homosexuals into heterosexual relationships and if they protested they would be punished. This could never happen in the United States as long as justice and democracy are practiced. He believes that the general will alone ...
