Jean Jacques Rousseau in his work, The Social Contract, argued that the ideal state would not be ruled by the divine right of Kings as most believed at the time, or Enlightened Despots of Hobbs, or self-interested property holders of Locke. Government should follow the will of the people ahead of the people’s own self-interest. That way the state would be guided by the people’s own conscience. He also believed all people should be forced to follow the general will of the people.
Historically Speaking 