Of The Social Contract and Other Political Writings

''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 s...