This volume brings together three of Rousseau's most important political writings--The Social Contract and The First Discourse (Discourse on the Sciences and Arts) and The Second Discourse (Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality)--and presents essays by major scholars that shed light on these texts.

Published in 1762, Rousseau's thinking is still relevant in these modern times. He believed that all citizens of a state fundamentally have a natural power of equality. This is the 'social contract' between the citizens of a state. Rousseau writes about liberty and law, freedom and justice. A declaration of democratic principles. A Collector's Edition.