Rousseau’s Rejuvenation of Political Philosophy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

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2. Introduction

   • Nelson Lund

   Pages 1-7

3. Philosophic Anthropology in the Discourse on Inequality

   • Nelson Lund

   Pages 9-38

4. The Evolution of Humanity in Language: Discourse on Inequality and Essay on the Origin of Languages

   • Nelson Lund

   Pages 39-89

5. Greatness of Soul and the Souls of Women: Rousseau’s Use of Plato’s Laws in the Letter to d’ Alembert

   • Nelson Lund

   Pages 91-147

6. Nature and Marriage: Emile or On Education

   • Nelson Lund

   Pages 149-212

7. Political Legitimacy, Direct Democracy, and American Politics

   • Nelson Lund

   Pages 213-266

8. Conclusion

   • Nelson Lund

   Pages 267-269

9. Back Matter

   Pages 271-282

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This book reads Jean-Jacques Rousseau with a view toward deepening our understanding of many political issues alive today, including the place of women in society, the viability of traditional family structures, the role of religion and religious freedom in nations that are becoming ever more secular, and the proper conduct of American constitutional government. Rousseau has been among the most influential modern philosophers, and among the most misunderstood. The first great philosophic critic of the Enlightenment, he sought to revive political philosophy as it was practiced by Plato, and to make it useful in the modern world. His understanding of politics rests on deep and often prescient reflections about the nature of the human soul and the relationship between our animal origins and the achievements of civilization. This book demonstrates that the implications Rousseau drew from those reflections continue to deserve serious attention.

• Rousseau
• Plato
• political philosophy
• feminism
• democracy
• political legitimacy

“Lund’s work is unique in the scholarship for paying special attention to Rousseau’s own explicit references to Plato. This is undoubtably the best starting point for figuring out the relation between these authors. … I think Lund certainly makes a valuable contribution to Rousseau scholarship. He has shown both Rousseau’s deep connection with his ancient predecessors and the enduring relevance of his political philosophy.” (Kimberley Burns, The Review of Politics, Vol. 82 (1), 2020)


“Nelson Lund has written a deeply thoughtful and trenchantly argued introduction to Rousseau’s political philosophy. It is not an introduction in the usual sense. Beginners who enjoy thinking hard will find the book a good first approach to Rousseau, but long-time readers of Rousseau will find detailed and challenging arguments … . What his present study has achieved is remarkable.” (Paul Ludwig, Interpretation. A Journal of Political Philosophy, Vol. 44 (2), Winter, 2018)



“The book does include detailed analyses of many of Rousseau's more widely read texts … . This book is sure to be influential among all who are interested in Rousseau and political philosophy. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.” (R. C. Robinson, Choice, Vol. 54 (9), May, 2017)

“Do we need ‘a new introduction’ to a thinker as heavily scrutinized as Rousseau is? Nelson Lund shows convincingly that we do, and he succeeds in providing it to us. He imitates Rousseau himself in drawing on modern science and travelers’ accounts to illustrate Rousseau's understanding of what is natural. Most importantly, he follows Rousseau's indications about the significance of understanding Plato to grasp Rousseau.” (Christopher Kelly, Professor of Political Science, Boston College, USA)

“Lund reads Rousseau now through the eyes of Plato or Locke, now as a contemporary primatologist, anthropologist, or constitutional lawyer. Fresh and insightful, this book also makes Rousseau vitally relevant to a host of contemporary issues, from the role of women to the viability of the family to the social importance of religion.” (Arthur Melzer, Professor of Political Science, Michigan State University, USA)

“At last, Rousseau has found his reader. Lund shows clearly why Rousseau, rightly read, remains—like Plato, rightly read—an indispensable companion and guide for anyone seeking wisdom about enduring human questions—about human nature and culture, language and reason, society and religion, love and marriage, happiness and politics—and also about vexed dilemmas of modern times.” (Leon R. Kass, Professor Emeritus, Committee on Social Thought, The University of Chicago)

• Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, Arlington, USA

  Nelson Lund

Nelson Lund is University Professor at George Mason University, USA, where he is primarily affiliated with its Law School. He has published widely in political philosophy, jurisprudence, American constitutional law, civil rights, and bioethics.

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