Why Did Rousseau Sets Out To Figure Out Why People Have Become Legitimate?

In Book One, Rousseau sets out to figure out why people had given up their natural liberty, and how political authority had become legitimate? Rousseau starts off the first chapter with the quote “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” Which means whether they want to be free or not; they are always restrained as slaves in some way. Rousseau decides that there can be a legitimate government, but people must become “a people” before any social contract can be proceeded. He explains that once people become a “people” we can all come together as a group which is one step closer to a democracy. In order for this kind of government to work each person must have their own responsibilities, and rights. Rousseau settled on knowing that this right does not come from nature, and wondered how would we guarantee that the rights or interests of the people will be respected? Rousseau then states that the oldest and only natural society is the family. However, children are only attached to their fathers until they can care for themselves. Once the children have reached that

People form societies when the obstacles faced in the state of nature become too difficult for any one person to overcome. Each person is willing to give up his natural liberty; in exchange for the greater power of the whole community. Because everyone gives himself and all of his rights to the community, the conditions of the social contract are equal for all those involved. The association of many individuals with the same interests creates a collective body with its own life and will. This body is called the "state" when it is passive, and the "sovereign" when it is