The Social Contract

THE SOCIAL CONTRACT is one of three most influential treatises ever written (the others being PLato's REPUBLIC and Marx's DAS KAPITAL) Of the three it is safe to say that only THE SOCIAL CONTRACT is much read in its entirety today, and it continues to exert a direct influence on contemporary political thought. In it - and in the three DISCOURCES here printed with it - Rousseau discusses the nature of liberty, human rights and the state; the origins of private property the function of education; the economic structure of society; and the relationship between individuals and the community. This revised re-issue of G. Cole's celebrated translation, long published by Everyman, includes sections from the manuscript draft of the text and is accompanied by an extensive new introduction, chronology and bibliography prepared by Professor Alan Ryan. Why You Should Read? It continues to exert a direct influence on contemporary political thought. Discusses the nature of liberty, human rights, and the state. Explores the origins of private property and the function of education. Offers insights into the economic structure of society and the relationship between individuals and the community. About the Author Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a highly influential philosopher, writer, and composer of the Enlightenment era. His philosophical works, including *The Social Contract*, profoundly impacted political thought and shaped the development of modern democracy. Rousseau's ideas explored the relationship between individuals and society, emphasizing concepts of liberty, human rights, and the general will. His writings continue to be studied and debated, making him a cornerstone of political and philosophical discourse.