The Social Contract (J.J. Rousseau)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s "The Social Contract" argues that true political authority comes from a collective agreement among citizens, not from divine right or force. People willingly give up some individual freedoms to a government that reflects the general will—what’s best for everyone. In return, the government protects their rights and ensures social order. Rousseau emphasizes that genuine freedom is found in participating in shaping the laws and decisions that govern society, creating a balance between individual liberty and community well-being rooted in mutual consent.