According to Rousseau, the role of government is primarily to protect what?

According to Rousseau, the primary role of government is to protect the common good, which he emphasized in his work "The Social Contract." Rousseau believed that a legitimate government derives its authority from the collective will of the people, or the "general will," which seeks to promote the welfare and best interests of the community as a whole. This concept is rooted in the idea that individual interests should be aligned with the common good, leading to a society where the needs and well-being of all citizens are prioritized over personal gain or wealth accumulation.

Rousseau argued that by protecting the common good, government can foster equality and social cohesion, allowing individuals to coexist harmoniously in a society. This notion stands in contrast to the protection of individual rights or property rights alone, as he believed these could sometimes conflict with the overall welfare of the community. Therefore, the role of government should be designed to ensure that the collective interests of all citizens are advanced, setting the foundation for a just and equitable society.