The Social Contract and Discourses - Hardcover

Rousseau, Jean Jacques

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1025990072 ISBN 13: 9781025990071

Publisher: Tradd Street Press, 2026

Synopsis

"The Social Contract and Discourses" is a seminal collection of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's most influential political writings, serving as a foundational pillar of modern democratic thought and social theory. This volume brings together Rousseau's most critical inquiries into the human condition and the structure of governance, including "The Social Contract", "A Discourse on the Arts and Sciences", and "A Discourse on the Origin of Inequality".

In these works, Rousseau examines the transition of humanity from a state of nature to a structured civil society, famously asserting that while man is born free, he is everywhere in chains. He proposes that legitimate political authority rests on a social contract agreed upon by all citizens, emphasizing the concept of the "general will" as the ultimate source of sovereignty. His discourses further challenge the notion that progress in the arts and sciences has improved human morality, instead suggesting that societal advancement often masks deep-seated inequality and corruption.

With its profound exploration of individual liberty, collective responsibility, and the ethics of power, this collection remains essential reading for students of history, philosophy, and political science. Rousseau's visionary ideas continue to resonate in contemporary discussions regarding the rights of the individual and the role of the state.

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Edition details

• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1025990072
• ISBN 13: 9781025990071
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 342