On the Social Contract

By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Narrated by: Erik Sandval

"Man was born free, but everywhere he is in chains." Thus begins Jean-Jacques Rousseau's influential 1762 work, On the Social Contract, a milestone of political science, and essential reading for students of history, philosophy, and social science. A progressive work, it inspired world-wide political reforms, most notably the American and French Revolutions, because it argued that monarchs were not divinely empowered to legislate. Rousseau asserts that only the people, in the form of the sovereign, have that all powerful right.

On the Social Contract's appeal and influence has been wide-ranging and continuous. It has been called an encomium to democracy and, at the same time, a blueprint for totalitarianism. Individualists, collectivists, anarchists, and socialists have all taken courage from Rousseau's controversial masterpiece.

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Thank you sir!

Sounds naive in 21st century, but if you factor in when it was written! It's a monumental work form the first letter to the end.

Old and Tired

He has a few good points, but quite a bit of unsubstantiated and irrational claims.

A hard listen but worthwhile.

A bit of a challenge, but overall a good listen for the time alloted. I particularly appreciate the vast connections to the subject in relation to historic Greece and Rome. surprisingly relevant to today when needed to understand the slight given by government on a regular basis and how it falls into its own pitfalls.

A solid foundation political science

It's easy to see why the founding fathers or inspired by this book. It provides a solid foundation on the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of a state.

A classic

What did you love best about On the Social Contract?

Interesting to understand the philosophy.

Did Erik Sandval do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

A pretty dry read on the narrators part but clearly understood.