The famous philosopher known for his social contract theory is Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In his works, particularly "The Social Contract" published in 1762, Rousseau argued that legitimate political authority derives from the consent of the governed and that individuals come together to form a community based on mutual agreement. He believed this social contract was essential to establishing political order while preserving individual freedoms. Rousseau's philosophy profoundly influenced modern political thought and democratic theory, advocating for the idea that government should reflect the general will of the people, shaping subsequent revolutionary ideas in the American and French Revolutions.