What was Rousseau's ideas about government and society?

Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that government should be based on the collective will of the people, which he termed the "general will." He argued that legitimate political authority arises from a social contract where individuals consent to form a community that prioritizes the common good over individual interests. Rousseau criticized the inequalities fostered by civilization and advocated for a direct democracy where citizens actively participate in decision-making. Ultimately, he envisioned a society that promotes freedom, equality, and moral development through the establishment of just and equitable governance.