This substantially revised new edition of Rousseau: The Basic Political Writings features a brilliant new Introduction by David Wootton, a revision by Donald A. Cress of his own 1987 translation of Rousseau''s most important political writings, and the addition of Cress'' new translation of Rousseau''s State of ?War.

New footnotes, headnotes, and a chronology by David Wootton provide expert guidance to first-time readers of the texts.