Manyebook

Of The Social Contract and Other Political Writings

A lively new translation of Rousseau's best-known work, accompanied by additional political writings "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains" are the famous opening words of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Social Contract, a work of political philosophy that has stirred vigorous debate ever since its publication in 1762. Rejecting the view that anyone has a natural right to sovereignty, Rousseau argues instead for a pact — a "social contract" — that should exist among all the citizens of a state and that should be the source of governing power. From this premise, he goes on to consider issues of liberty and justice, arriving at a view of society that has seemed to some a blueprint for totalitarianism, to others a declaration of democratic principles.

  • Format
  • paperback
  • Pages
  • 356
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 978-0-14-119175-1
  • EAN
  • 9780141191751
  • Genres
  • philosophy, politics, classics
  • Release date
  • 2012