general will: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialist term)Academic, Formal, Philosophical, Political Science
Quick answer
What does “general will” mean?
A political and philosophical concept referring to the collective will or common interest of a people as a whole, distinct from the sum of individual wills.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political and philosophical concept referring to the collective will or common interest of a people as a whole, distinct from the sum of individual wills.
The idea that a society's sovereign authority should be based on what is best for the entire community, as if the people had a single, unified will aimed at the common good. Often associated with social contract theory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Usage is identical across academic contexts.
Connotations
Strongly associated with the work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, particularly 'The Social Contract'. Can have positive connotations (democratic ideal) or negative ones (potential for tyranny of the majority or authoritarianism).
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Used almost exclusively in university-level political theory, philosophy, or history texts and discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “general will” in a Sentence
The general will + singular verb (is, dictates, aims).Act in accordance with the general will.X is an expression of the general will.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “general will” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The state must strive to general-will the disparate interests of its citizens. (Note: extremely rare and non-standard verbification)
American English
- Legislation should aim to general-will the common good. (Note: extremely rare and non-standard verbification)
adverb
British English
- The group acted general-will-edly. (Note: highly contrived and non-standard)
American English
- The decision was made general-will-ly. (Note: highly contrived and non-standard)
adjective
British English
- Rousseau's general-will theory is foundational.
American English
- The general-will concept is central to his argument.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in political philosophy, social theory, and history courses to discuss Rousseau, democracy, and legitimacy.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used in highly educated discussion of politics.
Technical
Core term in political philosophy and contractarian theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “general will”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “general will”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “general will”
- Using it as a plural (e.g., 'general wills').
- Confusing it with 'the will of the majority' or 'public opinion'.
- Using it in non-academic contexts where it sounds pretentious.
- Misspelling as 'general will' without understanding it as a compound concept.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Rousseau distinguished them sharply. The general will aims at the common good, while the 'will of all' is just the sum of private, individual interests, which may not serve the common good.
While the idea has precursors, it is most famously developed and centralised by the 18th-century Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his work 'The Social Contract' (1762).
In Rousseau's theory, the general will is always right and aims at the common good, but the people can be mistaken about what it is. Their expressed vote may not correctly discern the true general will.
It remains a key concept for debating the nature of democracy, legitimacy, and the tension between individual rights and collective decision-making. It influences discussions on populism, direct democracy, and the meaning of popular sovereignty.
A political and philosophical concept referring to the collective will or common interest of a people as a whole, distinct from the sum of individual wills.
General will is usually academic, formal, philosophical, political science in register.
General will: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʒen.ər.əl ˈwɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʒen.ɚ.əl ˈwɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a technical term, not an idiom.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GENERAL (leader) asking his army for their WILL (desire). But instead of many individual answers, the army speaks with one, unified voice—the GENERAL WILL of the troops.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY POLITIC IS A SINGLE PERSON (with a single will). THE STATE IS AN ORGANISM (with a unified purpose).
Practice
Quiz
What is the 'general will' most closely associated with?