' Man was born free & he is everywhere in chains' These are the famous opening words of a treatise that has not ceased to stir vigorous debate since its first 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 & that should be the source of sovereign power From this fundamental premise he goes on to consider issues of liberty & law freedom & justice arriving at a view of society that has seemed to some a blueprint for totalitarianism to others a declaration of democratic principles