📜intro to political science review

General will

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

General will is the collective interest or common good that is shared by all members of a society, as opposed to individual interests. It is a concept central to social contract theory, suggesting that laws and governance should reflect the general will of the people to ensure fairness and justice.

AP course connection

Topic 3.2: 3.2 The Laws of Nature and the Social Contract

Unit 3
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