The Social Contract and Discourses

This 1913 edition of Rousseau’s works includes the famous Social Contract as well as 3 discourses on Arts and Sciences, the Origin of Inequality, and Political Economy. Rousseau’s writings inspired liberals and non-liberals alike which makes him rather controversial in the history of political thought.

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Citation

The Social Contract and Discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, translated with an Introduction by G.D. H. Cole (London and Toronto: J.M. Dent and Sons, 1923).

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John Locke (Author)

Arguing against the divine right of kings, Locke defended social contract theory as the only valid origin of government. Rousseau, also a contract theorist, wrote in response to Locke.
Alexis de Tocqueville (Author)

Although not explicitly mentioned, Rousseau’s philosophy and his understanding of liberty heavily influenced Tocqueville’s Democracy in America.
Thomas Hobbes (Author)

Thomas Hobbes’s defense of monarchy inspired the social contract debate that Locke and Rousseau ignited.
Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre (Author)

Robespierre was a leading political figure in the French Revolution and its Reign of Terror. Rousseau’s philosophy was foundational to Robespierre and thus a direct influence on the French Revolution.

Key Quotes

Presidents, Kings, Tyrants, & Despots

First, when the prince ceases to administer the State in accordance with the laws, and usurps the Sovereign power. A remarkable change then occurs: not the government, but the State, undergoes contraction; I mean that the great State is dissolved, and another is formed within it, composed solely of…

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Critical Responses

Article

A Letter to the Authors of the Edinburgh Review

Adam Smith

Among his earliest published works, Smith criticized Rousseau’s “Second Discourse” (or “Discourse on Inequality”) in an anonymous letter to the Edinburgh Review.

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Book

Social Contract: Essays of Locke, Hume, and Rousseau

Sir Ernest Barker, editor

This collection of essays contrasts the views of Locke and Rousseau on social contract theory with the skeptical philosophy of David Hume.

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Connected Readings

Book

Emile, or Education

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

In this work addressed to his son, Rousseau discusses education and what is required to be a good citizen.

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Book

The English Works, vol. III (Leviathan)

Thomas Hobbes

This work explains Hobbes’ political philosophy and his defense of monarchy under a social contract theory.

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Book

The Two Treatises of Civil Government (Hollis ed.)

Thomas Hollis

In this popular work, Locke explains his understanding of property, the state of nature, the structure of government, and social contract theory. It is quintessential to understanding American Politics.

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AdamSmithWorks Essay

The Hume-Rousseau Affair

Daniel Klein

Kleine relates the interactions and connection between David Hume and Rousseau. He has a similar article describing Rousseau’s relation to Adam Smith.

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Website

When Feelings Become Facts: Rousseau, Burke, & Outrage Culture

Steven Kessler

Kessler discusses the important characteristics of Rousseau’s moral philosophy and his prescription of human nature in contrast to Edmund Burke’s.

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