The influential work "The Social Contract" was written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau in 1762. In this foundational text of political philosophy, Rousseau explores the concept of legitimacy in governance, arguing that political authority is derived from the collective will of the people. He introduces the notion of the "general will" and discusses how individuals can achieve true freedom by participating in a social contract that prioritizes the common good over personal interests. Rousseau's ideas significantly influenced Enlightenment thought and democratic principles, encapsulating a vision where governance is justified by the consent of the governed.