ABSTRACT

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a French philosopher, novelist, autobiographer, and composer. His two most important works of political theory are the “Discourse on the Origin of Inequality” and The Social Contract. In The Social Contract, Rousseau presents his positive view of political authority; that is, his picture of legitimate and just government. Rousseau takes up the challenge of reconciling individual freedom with political rule. Political bodies, thus remaining in a state of nature among them, soon experienced the inconveniences which had obliged individuals to quit it; and this state became much more fatal to these great bodies, than it had been before to the individuals which composed them. The family then may be called the first model of political societies: the ruler corresponds to the father, and the people to the children; and all, being born free and equal, alienate their liberty only for their own advantage