The document known as the first social contract in political philosophy is "The Social Contract" by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, published in 1762. Rousseau's work explores the concept of the social contract as an agreement among individuals to form a collective society, paving the way for democratic governance. He argues that legitimate political authority arises from the consent of the governed and emphasizes the importance of freedom and equality. Rousseau's ideas significantly influenced subsequent political thought and the development of democratic principles, making it a foundational text in Enlightenment philosophy.