1762: The Social Contract

1762. The world was at war. But this was unlike any war humanity had ever seen before. This was a war of the mind, of words and of thinking.

This war was fuelled by many men. One of these men was named Jean-Jacque Rousseau.

Rousseau penned one of the single most important declarations of human rights. It was called The Social Contract. It introduced a powerful new idea; the "consent of the governed." This meant that a government of any kind, could not rule without the consent of the people.

The Social Contract gave birth to the modern democracy as we understand it today.

As we move further into the 21st century it is important to remember the teachings of Rousseau. That a government cannot continue to exist without the consent of the people. That if a government begins to step on the rights of its people then the people can overthrow it.

As government begins to tread this line, it would seem that Rousseau’s words are just as important today as they were in 1762. They are words that underpin a revolution.

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