Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality Among Men (1755) is an influential work by Rousseau in which he investigates how inequality between people arose and whether it is based on natural laws. This study book analyzes the development of primitive man into his civilized status.
Rousseau distinguishes natural inequality, such as age and strength, from political inequality. He describes the state of nature as idyllic: the primitive human lived as a noble savage, free and without language, law courts, or property. In Discourse on the Origin explains how Rousseau argues that the establishment of private property and the emergence of civil society introduced inequality, war, and abuse of power. This work offers valuable insights for students and users who want to understand the origins of social and political structures.