Social Contract

This elegant collector's edition presents Jean-Jacques Rousseau's classic philosophical work, The Social Contract, featuring gold cover embossing and gilded page-edges.

The Social Contract is one of the most influential studies ever made, interrogating the relationship between the governors and the governed. In it, Rousseau argues against the 'divine right' of the monarchy to wield authority over others and instead that citizens must have their own stake in their governance. In turn, citizens must submit their personal desires to the 'general will' of in order for the common good to prevail. It is only through this 'social contract' that man can be free. Rousseau's ideas influenced both the French and American Revolutions and created the foundations of the liberal democratic societies we live in today.

This beautiful pocket-sized gift edition contains the classic and unabridged text, presented with a gold embossed cover design, ivory pages, beautifully designed endpapers and gold gilded page edges. Part of the Arcturus Ornate Classics series, this book makes wonderful gift for any philosophy lover.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Ornate Classics are beautifully bound editions of iconic literary works across history. These compact, foil-embossed hardbacks are printed using deluxe ivory paper and make the perfect gift.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, born in 1762 in Geneva, became one of the most important men in 18th-century France. He was one of the foremost philosophers of the Enlightenment and wrote a number of books to promote his ideas including the Discourse on Political Economy, The Social Contract and Emile.