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

Rousseau believed that a government freely formed by the people is far superior to one imposed by force. He argued that legitimate political authority arises from the collective will of the populace, which he termed the "general will." This social contract allows individuals to achieve true freedom and equality, as opposed to a government that relies on coercion, which undermines individual rights and fosters inequality. In Rousseau's view, only a government founded on the consent of the governed can ensure justice and the common good.