The Social Contract and Other Later Political Writings

The work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau is presented in two volumes, together forming the most comprehensive anthology of Rousseau’s political writings in English. Volume II contains the later writings such as The Social Contract and a selection of Rousseau’s letters on important aspects of his thought. The Social Contract has become Rousseau’s most famous single work, but on publication was condemned by both the civil and the ecclesiastical authorities in France and Geneva. Rousseau fled and it is during this period that he wrote some of his autobiographical works as well as political essays such as On the Government of Poland. This volume, like its predecessor, contains a comprehensive introduction, chronology and guide to further reading, and will enable students to obtain a full understanding of the writings of one of the world’s greatest thinkers.

• Most comprehensive anthology of Rousseau’s political writings in English by a recognised Rousseau scholar • Helpful introduction which addresses some of the major problems in the interpretation of Rousseau’s political thought • Contains The Social Contract, Rousseau’s most famous single work

Preface; Introduction; Chronology; A brief guide to further reading; A note on the texts; A note on the translations; A note on the editorial notes; Discourse on Political Economy; Of the Social Contract; Book I; Book II; Book III; Book IV; Extract from the early version of Of The Social Contract known as the Geneva Manuscript; The State of War; Considerations on the Government of Poland; Letter to D’Offreville; Letter to Usteri; Letter to Mirabeau; Letter to Franquieres; List of abbreviations and textual conventions; Editorial notes; Index of editors, translators and annotators; General index.