The Social Contract and Discourses - Hardcover

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques; Cole, G.D.H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0460016601 ISBN 13: 9780460016605

Publisher: Dutton Books, 1978

Synopsis

n The Social Contract, Rousseau wrote one of the most influential studies ever made. It is as relevant today as when it was first published more than 250 years ago. Political society, Rousseau argued, required each individual to submit their personal desires to the 'general will'. At the same time, there was no 'divine right' of the monarchy to allow them to act as they pleased. Therefore, there must be a social contract between governor and governed - the only truly legitimate form of government. Rousseau's ideas influenced both the French and American Revolutions and created the foundations of the liberal democratic societies we live in today.

About this title

Review

Great Ideas... is the right name for these slim, elegant paperbacks... They are written with precision, force, and care. ("The Wall Street Journal") Penguin Books hopes to provide an economical remedy for time-pressed readers in search of intellectual sustenance. ("USA Today")

From the Author

The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The social contract came to me when I was fairly young, living in Geneva. It is unlike a convential book, which may take a few years to write, in that that it was in the making throughout my entire life.
If you find some of the ideas are not to your liking, then I make no excuse for them. They are my own so I cannot disown them. We can do only that which we think to be right.
The Social Contract lays out my view of soceity, and how I feel it should be

Jean Jacques Rousseau,

17th April 2004

Edition details

• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Publication date: 1978
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0460016601
• ISBN 13: 9780460016605
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 330