Which did Rousseau believe was better - a government freely formed by the people or one imposed on a people by force?

Rousseau believed that a government freely formed by the people was far superior to one imposed by force. He argued that legitimate political authority arises from the collective will of the people, expressed through the social contract. In his view, a government based on the voluntary agreement of its citizens fosters true freedom and equality, while a forceful imposition leads to oppression and corruption. Thus, he championed the idea of democracy and the importance of civic participation in governance.