The Social Contract & Discourses

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's "The Social Contract & Discourses" remains a cornerstone of political philosophy, exploring the fundamental questions of societal organization and the legitimacy of state power. Rousseau delves into the concept of the social contract, arguing that legitimate authority arises from the consent of the governed.

Within these pages, Rousseau contrasts civilized society with the idealized "state of nature," examining the origins of inequality and the corruption of natural goodness. He proposes a radical vision of a society guided by the "general will," where collective interest supersedes individual desires.

This collection presents Rousseau's seminal works on the social contract, offering profound insights into the relationship between the individual and society. A vital text for understanding the foundations of modern political thought and enduring debates on freedom, authority, and the common good.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

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