Discourse on Political Economy and the Social Contract - Couverture souple

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0192827502 ISBN 13 : 9780192827500

Editeur : Oxford Paperbacks, 1994

Synopsis

This title is among the permanent classics of political theory. Influenced by Montesquieu's "Spirit of Laws" (1748), it argues that the basis of any legitimate society must be the agreement of its members. Censored in its own time for its revolutionary tendencies, and still controversial in many respects, it is a main source of democratic belief. Rousseau is essentially a radical thinker, and in a broad sense a revolutionary. His doctrine states that as humans are born free, their subjection to government must be based on analysis of "the general will", his greatest contribution to political theory, which attempts to show how individuals can be united by self-interest, and so validate the society in which they live and the constraints which it imposes on them. Christopher Betts is the editor of "Rousseau: 'Discourse on Inequality'", and the translator of "Persian Letters" (Montesquieu).

A propos du livre

Quatrième de couverture

Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Christopher Betts

"Only the general will can direct the powers of the state in accordance with the purpose for which it was established, which is the common good."

Censored in its own tune, The Social Contract (1762) remains a key source of democratic belief and is one of the classics of political theory. It argues, concisely but eloquently, that the basis of any legitimate society must be the agreement of its members. As human beings, we were `born free; and our subjection to government must be freely accepted.

Rousseau was always a radical thinker, and in a broad sense a revolutionary. He insisted on the sovereignty of the people, and his greatest contribution to political thought is the concept of the general will, which unites individuals through their common self-interest, validating the society in which they live and the constraints it imposes on them.

This edition includes the opening chapter of the manuscript version of, the Contract, together with the long article on Political Economy, a work transitional between the Contract and the Discourse on Inequality.

• INTRODUCTION • TEXTUAL NOTE • BIBLIOGRAPHY • CHRONOLOGY - APPENDIX - EXPLANATORY NOTES • INDEX

Présentation de l'éditeur

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Oxford Paperbacks
• Date d'édition: 1994
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0192827502
• ISBN 13: 9780192827500
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 245
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: Ufficio Anagrafiche Messaggerie; ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it; ; Via Verdi, 8; Assago Milano; 20090; Italie