A Treatise on the Social Compact: Or The Principles of Politic Law

Published in 1762, 'A Treatise on the Social Compact' is a landmark work of political philosophy by the Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In it, Rousseau lays out his vision for a just and egalitarian society, in which individuals willingly surrender some of their freedoms in exchange for protection and security. He argues that the power of the state should be based on the will of the people, rather than the arbitrary authority of rulers. This book is a foundational text in modern political theory and a must-read for anyone interested in the history of political philosophy.