The Social Contract Summary of Key Points
Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s ‘The Social Contract’ is a cornerstone of political philosophy, first published in 1762. It explores the concept of social contract theory, suggesting that legitimate political authority rests upon the consent of the governed. Rousseau argues for a form of government where the people are sovereign and laws are made based on the general will. This revolutionary idea influenced the development of republicanism and democratic thought, challenging the traditional view of sovereignty and the relationship between individual liberty and state authority.