Jean-Jacques Rousseau is the major political theorist associated with social contract theory. In his influential works, particularly "The Social Contract," Rousseau argued that legitimate political authority rests on the collective will of the people, which he termed the "general will." He believed that individuals enter into a social contract to form a community, surrendering some freedoms for the protection of others. Rousseau's ideas challenged the divine right of kings and emphasized democracy and equality, influencing both the French Revolution and modern democratic thought. His vision of government as a collective agreement based on mutual respect and freedom continues to inform contemporary political philosophy.