The Social Contract (Jean-Jacques Rousseau)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s "The Social Contract" argues that to live together peacefully and fairly, individuals give up some personal freedoms to the collective authority, creating a government that represents the general will. This agreement ensures that laws reflect the common good, balancing individual rights with community needs. Rousseau believes that true freedom is found in obeying laws that we participate in shaping, fostering a sense of equality and mutual responsibility. The social contract thus forms the foundation for legitimate authority and a harmonious society, emphasizing that power derives from the consent of the governed.