The Social Contract
Book 1
Social order is unatural, and no one is free as they are all interdependent. The book seeks to explain its origins.
Family is the first society, but the children eventually become free.
Legitimacy is not created by force, for no one is so strong and it eventually whanes.
Thus, slavery by force is unlegitimate, but by necessity is allowed, as there's consent. [Not refering to Africa]
Freedom can never be completely given away, as it's what men crave the most.
The ruler must be chosen unanimously. A few might disagree, but they must accept it.
When individual subsistance became impossible, the state arose. It must however, be ruled by consent (Alienation).
The state then becomes the owner of all goods, and those who disagree must be forced to be free.
Thus, natural liberty is replaced by civil liberty and moral values are created.
Book 2
The state must look out for the common good with undivided sovereignty: either the support is popular or partial.
Popular support is usually the best as it's what the majority wants.
The relationship between man and group forms the political law, while the man-law forms the law of costumes.
The Legislative holds all the power, while the Executive is only following orders.
Book 3
If the Legislative and Executive do not cooperate, there'll be anarchy.
Democracy is the largest and most ideal type of state, followed by aristocracy and monarchy.
In time, democracy usually decays into smaller states. To avoid this, the people must be educated, though it eventually stops caring.
The greater the participation, the greater the democracy.
Representative democracy is questionable, since it doesn't have as much direct participation.
Book 4
In Rome, dictators were temporary, unlike tyrants, which arise from corruption.
Censorship weakens the moral culture of the state.