1762 Contract Social Droit Politique J. J. Rousseau First Duodecimo 12Mo Edition Jean-Jacques Rousseau Rare Book Room

Du Contract Social; Ou Principes du Droit Politique. Par J. J. Rousseau, Citoten De Genève. A Amsterdam, Chez Marc Michel Rey, 1762. Engraved vignette title page, modern plain wrappers, possibly lacking half-title page. ***First Duodecimo (12mo) Edition, (2), VIII, 202, (2) pp, A12 - I3 6.5 x 4", 12mo. ***Du Contrat Social was originally published in an octavo (8vo) format, which went through two printings (known as Type A and B). The First Duodecimo (12mo) Edition was published six weeks after the first 8vo. The duodecimo was published as either a "tap-edition" (mentioned on half-title page), or as a separate issue (omitting the half-title page). Since this work has no half-title, we can assume it is a separate issue. We also know this is not a pirated edition because ornaments used on pages VIII & 30 are the same as those used in the first 8vo editions & the pirated copy does not include an ornament on page 76 (which this copy does). Also Page 1 Line 7 ends in "uti-", while the pirated would end in "utili". In fair condition. Modern paper wrappers generally soiled and rubbed; rear hinge exhibits very small chip with exposed binding mesh. Modern end-pages clean. Water or tea dampness stain exhibited from title page to page 76's fore-edge, does not impede text. Title page in red and black ink - red ink remains fairly bright. Toning around edges of leaves, with some instances of light age-staining. A complete work, including two-page publisher's adverts in rear. Modern binding tight and intact. Please see photos and ask questions, if any, before purchasing. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was a Genevan philosopher and composer. Du contrat social; ou, Principes du droit politique theorizes how to establish legitimate authority in a political community. The work argues against the idea that monarchs were divinely empowered to legislate. Rousseau asserts that only the general will of the people has the right to legislate, for only under the general will can the people be said to obey only themselves and hence, be free. Although Rousseau's notion of the general will is subject to much interpretive controversy, it seems to involve a legislature consisting of all adult members of the political community who are restricted to legislating general laws for the common good. For Rousseau, since one's right to freedom is inalienable, the people cannot obligate themselves to obey someone other than themselves. Collective self-rule would increase freedom if the people to whom laws applied were also the ones prescribing them. Upon publication, the distribution of Du contrat social in France was prohibited, and Rousseau fled the country to avoid imprisonment. However, it was primarily Rousseau's chapter on civil religion, rather than his ideas on liberty and sovereignty, that caused the controversy. Debatably Rousseau's most influential work. FIRST DUODECIMO EDITION! A reading copy due to modern binding. GIFT QUALITY! RAREE1762LZBX 03/24 - HK1354