--- product_id: 241564051 title: "The Social Contract (Penguin Classics)" price: "€ 27.26" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.es/products/241564051-the-social-contract-penguin-classics store_origin: ES region: Spain --- # Mint condition classic edition Same-day dispatch before noon No-quibble returns The Social Contract (Penguin Classics) **Price:** € 27.26 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock the social contract that still shapes your world today! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Social Contract (Penguin Classics) - **How much does it cost?** € 27.26 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.es](https://www.desertcart.es/products/241564051-the-social-contract-penguin-classics) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Risk-Free Purchase:** No quibbles returns ensure you shop confidently, joining thousands of satisfied readers. - • **Fast & Reliable Delivery:** Order before noon and get your copy dispatched the same day—because great ideas can’t wait. - • **Collector’s Mint Condition:** Own a pristine Penguin Classics edition, perfect for your curated bookshelf and intellectual cred. - • **Fluent & Accessible Translation:** Enjoy Maurice Cranston’s clear, engaging translation that makes complex philosophy approachable. - • **Timeless Intellectual Powerhouse:** Dive into Rousseau’s revolutionary ideas that shaped modern democracy and social justice. ## Overview The Social Contract (Penguin Classics) offers a pristine, expertly translated edition of Rousseau’s groundbreaking 1762 treatise on liberty, law, and sovereignty. With same-day dispatch and hassle-free returns, this edition is a must-have for anyone eager to engage with the foundational ideas of modern democracy and social philosophy. ## Description 'Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains' These are the famous opening words of a treatise that has not ceased to stir debate since its publication in 1762. Rejecting the view that anyone has a natural right to wield authority over others, Rousseau argues instead for a pact, or 'social contract', that should exist between all the citizens of a state and that should be the source of sovereign power. From this fundamental premise, he goes on to consider issues of liberty and law, freedom and justice, arriving at a view of society that has seemed to some a blueprint for totalitarianism, to others a declaration of democratic principles. Translated and Introduced by Maurice Cranston Review: Social contract + other important essays - Very good translation with excellent introduction by Alan Ryan. This edition includes in addition to the Social Contract, 1 Discourse on the Arts and Science, 2 Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, 3 Discourse on Political Economy, 4 The General society of the Human Race. Recommended edition and works. Review: Having read the French version - albeit a long time ago as a student - this translation is fluent and easy. In my view - I found it most enlightening. Having read the French version - albeit a long time ago as a student - this translation is fluent and easy. In my view, Jean Jaques Rousseau is underestimated as a philosopher and as a singularly good member of the Enlightenment. His phrase "Man is born free and everywhere is in chains.." resonates with much of what passes for democracy in today's world. ## Features - New - Mint Condition - Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon - Guaranteed packaging - No quibbles returns ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 28,657 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 376 in Biographies about Medical, Legal & Social Sciences 844 in Social & Cultural History | | Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 883 Reviews | ## Images ![The Social Contract (Penguin Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/6120MVjJ9zL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Social contract + other important essays *by M***O on 2 October 2022* Very good translation with excellent introduction by Alan Ryan. This edition includes in addition to the Social Contract, 1 Discourse on the Arts and Science, 2 Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, 3 Discourse on Political Economy, 4 The General society of the Human Race. Recommended edition and works. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Having read the French version - albeit a long time ago as a student - this translation is fluent and easy. In my view *by A***R on 26 August 2016* I found it most enlightening. Having read the French version - albeit a long time ago as a student - this translation is fluent and easy. In my view, Jean Jaques Rousseau is underestimated as a philosopher and as a singularly good member of the Enlightenment. His phrase "Man is born free and everywhere is in chains.." resonates with much of what passes for democracy in today's world. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect! *by D***X on 10 December 2023* Thanks for this paperback book. It's perfect! No complaints at all. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Social Contract (Penguin Books for Philosophy) - Leviathan (Penguin Classics) - A Discourse on Inequality (Penguin Classics) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.es/products/241564051-the-social-contract-penguin-classics](https://www.desertcart.es/products/241564051-the-social-contract-penguin-classics) --- *Product available on Desertcart Spain* *Store origin: ES* *Last updated: 2026-07-15*