Rousseau's Political Writings Book

I don't know what to make of Rousseau. On the one hand, the entire concept of the social contract seems like a hopelessly dated relic, and a completely flawed starting position for any program of political philosophy. And, I think, Isaiah Berlin was right when he heard the tap-tap-tapping of jackboots in the future-- albeit completely unbeknownst to Rousseau-- when notions about an inalienable and indivisible general will of the people were being bandied about. But, at this time, Rousseau was writing against the notion of an oligarchical, aristocratic elite in control of society, so it has to be considered in that context.

And that last clause should also be considered when we're talking about the Discourses. The notion of the "arts and sciences" as being "civilizing" was taken as gospel then, and used as an excuse for colonial horror. And inequality was stated as a necessity. Rousseau's counter-arguments, while deeply, deeply flawed, at least were counter-arguments, and revolutionary for their time.