What did Rousseau believe about the social contract?

Rousseau's theory of the social contract emphasizes the importance of the consent of the governed. He believed that legitimate political authority comes from the social contract, which is an agreement among individuals to form a society and establish a government that reflects the general will. This concept underscores the idea that sovereignty lies with the people, and any government or authority must derive its power from the collective agreement of the society it governs. This principle is foundational for modern democratic theories, asserting that political rights and obligations are based on mutual consent rather than imposed by an external force. Rousseau's notion fundamentally challenged the traditional views of absolute authority and monarchy, reinforcing the idea that a government's legitimacy stems from the active participation and agreement of its citizens.