Of The Social Contract and Other Political Writings

Brought to you by Penguin.

'Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains.'

These are the famous opening words of a treatise that has stirred vigorous debate ever since its first publication in 1762. Rejecting the view that anyone has a natural right to wield authority over others, Rousseau argues instead for a pact, or 'social contract', that should exist between all the citizens of a state and that should be the source of sovereign power. From this fundamental premise, he goes on to consider issues of liberty and law, freedom and justice, arriving at a view of society that has seemed to some a blueprint for totalitarianism, to others a declaration of democratic principles.

© Translated by Quintin Hoare 2012 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

© 2022 Penguin Classics (Lydbog): 9780241568385

Oversættere: Quintin Hoare

Udgivelsesdato

Lydbog: 15. december 2022