The Social Contract

Name: The Social Contract
Author: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Political philosophy foundation: legitimacy derives from general will consent

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About the author

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

French-Swiss philosopher whose Discourse on Inequality and The Social Contract argued that humans are naturally good but corrupted by civilization and private property. His concept of the general will influenced the French Revolution and all subsequent democratic theory. Émile transformed Western ideas about childhood education.

More by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

ÉmileTreatise on education from infancy through moral and natural development
ConfessionsAutobiographical reflections from birth through formative experiences
Discourse on InequalityPhilosophical history of inequality origins and natural human condition
Julie, or the New HeloiseEpistolary novel exploring love, virtue, and social relationships
EmileTreatise on education from infancy through moral and natural development