The Social Contract, written in 1762 by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, is a political and philosophical treatise that explores the possible legitimacy of a relationship between individuals and the state. According to Rousseau, humans are born naturally free and equal, but social inequality and oppression emerged in the formation of society. To rectify this, he proposes a social contract that allows for a form of association that protects the person and goods of each associate, while allowing individuals to remain free as before.

For Rousseau, this exploration starts with situating the state of nature and social order. Social order is a sacred right, but it does not stem from nature and is instead founded upon conventions. Conventions are the basis of every legitimate authority among men. Strength does not make right, and individuals are obligated to obey only legitimate powers. A people can give itself to a king, but this act assumes public deliberation. Therefore, the true foundation of society is the act by virtue of which a people is a people.

Rousseau argues that the social contract is an agreed-upon convention in which each associate alienates all his rights to the community as a whole in exchange for protection and freedom. He asserts that the social contract is the only foundation of legitimate political authority. To show this, he introduces the concept of the sovereign: the people as one body with one common interest, named the general will. This will can only be represented by itself and exercised by the sovereign. He therefore calls sovereignty to be inalienable and indivisible.

Rousseau explains that every individual may have a particular will contrary or dissimilar to the general will. The total sum of individual wills (will of all) may not always be in the best interests of the community as a whole. However, the general will always is in the best interest. Only the general will can direct the forces of the state in keeping with the aim for which it was instituted, which is the common good.

For Rousseau, the social pact gives the body politic existence and life, but legislation is needed to give it movement and will. Conventions and laws are needed to unite rights with duties and restore justice to the general. Rousseau notes that these conditions should be regulated by those who associate in a society, but a system of legislation is difficult to implement by the blind multitude alone. Therefore, a legislator is required who must be capable of changing human nature and forces, and base their judgment on what they foresee, rather than what they see. Rousseau concludes that legislative power belongs to the people alone. However, the execution of law must be given to a specific agent to unite and actuate it as directed by the general will. For this, he defines government as an intermediary body established between the subjects and the Sovereign for their mutual correspondence.

Rousseau argues that a good government is one that is based on the principles of the social contract and the general will. It must be founded on the consent of the governed and must serve the common good rather than the interests of particular individuals. A good government must be limited in its powers and must not interfere with the natural freedoms and rights of individuals unless it is necessary for the protection of the community as a whole. According to Rousseau, the government inherently acts against the general will, leading to the deterioration of the constitution and the destruction of the body politic. Therefore, rather than seeking to create an eternal institution, the goal should be to create a constitution that is as robust as possible, in order to prolong the life of the state.

In this prolongation of the state, Rousseau explores the role of religion in the relationship between individuals and the state. He believes that religion is an important social institution that can promote virtue and morality among people. However, he also warns against the dangers of religious fanaticism and the use of religion by the state to control and manipulate people. Therefore, he argues that the state has a responsibility to regulate religion, but it must do so carefully in order to preserve individual freedom and prevent conflict.

Rousseau’s work explores the relation of society, government, and individual freedom. The author believes that a just society can only be created through a social contract based on the general will, and that a good government should act in the best interests of the people as a whole. For his social contract, the prolongation of the state is then by no means guaranteed, but it is made legitimate.