“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” Rousseau starts from this observation and looks for a form of association in which each person, by uniting with all, obeys only himself. From this pact he draws a simple idea: power belongs to the people, and the law must express the will of all.
Against those who based power on force or on divine right, Rousseau bases it on the agreement of citizens. This little book inspired the French Revolution, and it still helps us understand where our ideas of democracy and equality come from.
With the translation always in front of you, you can read this founding text in the language you are learning.
