The first and most important deduction from the principles we have so far laid down is that the general will alone can direct the state according to the object for which it was instituted,i.e. the common good: for if the clashing of particular interest made the establishment of societies necessary,the agreement of these very interests made it possible. The common element in these different interests is what forms the social tie; and,were there no point of agreement between them all,no society could exist. It is solely on the basis of this common interest that every society should be governed.