Contained within this volume are two discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In "A Discourse on the Origin of Inequality" Rousseau examines the causes of the inequalities that exist among men concluding that it is the natural result of the formation of any civilization. In "A Discourse on Political Economy" Rousseau examines the nature of politics and their effect on people. These two works lay a solid foundation for the political philosophy of Rousseau and are a must read for any student of political science or philosophy.