The Social Contract

The Social Contract (1762) is a seminal work of political and social theory, and is Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s most important and influential text. In the book, Rousseau lays out the conditions required for the legitimate founding and governing of a nation state. Playing a role in both the French Revolution and the founding of the US Constitution, The Social Contract is a cornerstone of modern political thought and essential reading for anyone interested in political theory.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer living in 18th-century Europe. He made important contributions to multiple disciplines, including musicology and theory of education, but is most remembered today for his works of philosophy and political theory. His other notable works include Discourse on Inequality and On the Origin of Languages. In 1794, Rousseau’s body was interred in the Panthéon in Paris as a national hero.