The Social Contract Penguin Great Ideas

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ISBN: 9780141018881
Author : Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Published: 2004
Publisher: Penguin Books
Number of pages: 176
Language: English
Format: Paperback

Description

The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, first published in 1762, is one of the most influential works in political philosophy. In this treatise, Rousseau explores the relationship between individuals and society, proposing a vision for a political system based on the collective will of the people.

Rousseau's central idea is that legitimate political authority must be based on a social contract, in which individuals come together to form a collective body, the "general will." This "general will" represents the common interest of all citizens, transcending personal desires, and serves as the basis for law and governance. Rousseau argues that in this system, individuals remain free because they act in accordance with their own will, as expressed through the collective will of the community.

The work critiques the inequalities and injustices of contemporary society, particularly in terms of political power and social hierarchy, and advocates for a more egalitarian and participatory form of government. The Social Contract had a profound influence on the development of modern political thought and inspired both democratic and revolutionary movements.

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