Wikinventia — Atlas of discoveries and inventions · Exploration Age

Du contrat social — Jean-Jacques Rousseau

1762 AD · Transmission: Global
LawLegalFrench

Rousseau holds sovereignty is single, indivisible, and resides exclusively in the people: the ruler is a mere revocable delegate. Against Montesquieu's power division to balance social classes, Rousseau unifies power's origin in citizens before dividing its functions — the spirit echoed in the opening words of the US Constitution, "We the People".

Historical regionKingdom of France (published in Amsterdam)
Primary sourceJean-Jacques Rousseau — Du contrat social ou Principes du droit politique (Amsterdam, 1762)
Secondary sourceCohen, J. — Rousseau: A Free Community of Equals (Oxford University Press, 2010)
Original languageFrench
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