Of the Social Contract and Other Political Writings

356 pages

Published 2012 by Penguin Books.

ISBN:
978-0-14-119175-1
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OCLC Number:
793685242

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4 stars (1 review)

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 HoareWith.

1 edition

Surprises in a theory of government 250 years old

4 stars

This was a challenging book to consume in audiobook form. It demands the listener to understand concepts in political philosophy and political sociology, to construct an awareness of 18th century European history, and put aside preconceptions of the intent of the author, all in an aural format. some words such as "sovereign" and "magistrate" turn out to have a meaning different from what I thought at first. Also, some of the writings here come down to us in a fragmentary form so things are not as orderly as one would like. The author is building on and replying to earlier political science and economics works by Montesquieu, Hobbes, Machiavelli, and others on specific points so some of the intent is probably lost when those other works aren't at hand. Despite all the difficulties, it was an engaging piece of scholarship.

As suggested by the title there are a number of …