Chapter III: Introduction: The Social Contract

BOOK I

FOREWORD

_In which it is inquired why man passes from the state of nature to the state of society and what are the essential conditions of the compact._

I The Subject of the first Book
II The first Societies
III The Right of the Strongest
IV Slavery
V That we must always go back to a first Convention
VI The Social Compact
VII The Sovereign
VIII The Civil State
IX Real Property

BOOK II

_Which treats of legislation._

I That Sovereignty is inalienable
II That Sovereignty is indivisible
III Whether the general Will is fallible
IV The Limits of the Sovereign Power
V The Right of Life and Death
VI Law
VII The Legislator
VIII The People
IX The People (_continued_)
X The People (_continued_)
XI The various Systems of Legislation
XII The Division of the Laws

BOOK III

_Which treats of political laws, that is to say, of the form of government._

I Government in General
II The constituent Principle in the various Forms of Government
III The Division of Governments
IV Democracy
V Aristocracy
VI Monarchy
VII Mixed Governments
VIII That all Forms of Government do not suit all Countries
IX The Marks of a good Government
X The Abuse of Government and its Tendency to Degenerate
XI The Death of the Body Politic
XII How the Sovereign Authority maintains itself
XIII How the Sovereign Authority maintains itself _(continued_)
XIV How the Sovereign Authority maintains itself _(continued_)
XV Deputies or Representatives
XVI That the Institution of Government is not a Contract
XVII The Institution of Government
XVIII How to check the Usurpations of Government

BOOK IV

_Which treats further of political laws and sets forth the means of strengthening the Constitution of the State_.

I That the general Will is indestructible
II Voting
III Elections
IV The Roman Comitia
V The Tribunate
VI The Dictatorship
VII The Censorship
VIII Civil Religion
IX Conclusion

A DISCOURSE ON THE ARTS AND SCIENCES A DISCOURSE ON THE ORIGIN OF INEQUALITY -- Appendix A DISCOURSE ON POLITICAL ECONOMY

THE SOCIAL CONTRACT

OR

PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL

RIGHT

Fœderis æquas

Dicamus leges. (Vergil, _Æneid_ XI.)