"The Social Contract" was authored by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a prominent philosopher of the 18th century. In this influential work, Rousseau examines the relationship between individuals and the state, advocating for a form of social agreement where citizens cede some freedoms to a governing body in exchange for protection and the general will of the populace. He argues that legitimacy in governance stems from the collective consent of the governed and that individuals retain natural rights even while part of a societal contract. Rousseau's ideas have significantly impacted political theory, especially notions of democracy and individual rights.