What concept did Jean-Jacques Rousseau describe in his work "Social Contract"?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's concept in "Social Contract" emphasizes the idea of a collective agreement among individuals to form a community and to determine governance. Rousseau argues that legitimate political authority arises from a social contract formed based on the general will of the people. This means that the strength of the community's decisions emerges from the collective agreement, where majority rule is a way of reflecting the will of the greater good.

In Rousseau's vision, individuals come together and agree to abide by the laws and decisions that the collective community establishes, ensuring that each member has a stake in the outcomes of governance. The concept also underscores the importance of participatory democracy, wherein citizens engage in the decision-making process, thus fostering equality and collective ownership of those decisions.

By distinguishing this concept from absolute power, the divine right of kings, or capitalism without government intervention, it becomes clear how Rousseau's work advocates for a democratic society built on mutual consent, where the people themselves play an active role in shaping their governance.