Answer:
I would say voting rights.
Explanation:
That is only because it says "whether it protects or punishes" and when voting you don't always win the vote for a certain bill. So voting rights provides the "expression of the general will", but also keeps in mind that not everyone is going to win all the time when it comes to voting on laws and bills. In short, it places the general will in the hands of the people, no matter who is getting hurt or protected.