Description

Book Synopsis
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.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf o

Of the Social Contract and Other Political

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    A Paperback / softback by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Quintin Hoare, Christopher Bertram

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      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Penguin Classics
      Published 4 October 2012
      ISBN-13 9780141191751
      978-0141191751
      ISBN-10 0141191759
      Also in:
      Politics, Philosophy & Society Western philosophy: Enlightenment Jean Jacques Rousseau Books by Jean Jacques Rousseau

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      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.

      For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf o

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