Rousseau's Social Contract is a benchmark in political philosophy and has influenced moral and political thought since its publication. Rousseau and the Social Contract introduces and assesses:*Rousseau's life and the background of the Social Contract*The ideas and arguments of the Social Contract*Rousseau's continuing importance to politics and philosophyRousseau and the Social Contract will be essential reading for all students of philosophy and politics, and anyone coming to Rousseau for the first time.