Rousseau's Political Writings: Discourse on Inequality, Discourse on Political Economy on Social Contract (Norton Critical Editions)

Rating:
Summary: good background materials, but shoddy translation
Review: Although this edition contains some excellent background materials, the translation is less than professional and sins by omission. Some important parts of the texts are inexplicably left out, such as Rousseau's dedication of the "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality" to Geneva, in which he clearly and passionately explains some of his basic theories of government, through a utopian fantasy about his hometown. Not only does the dedication give an important political context to the "Discourse," it also adds a touching and pathetic autobiographical dimension to the text. As such, it is an essential part of the "Discourse." Also omitted are many of Rousseau's own notes on the text, which are both amusing and illuminating. Finally, the translation itself leaves out certain phrases, seriously distorting the meaning of key passages. The above comments only apply to the "Discourse on the Origins of Inequality," but if they are any indication of the general carelessness of the translator and/or the editors, readers would be better off with another edition, for example Donald Cress's translation of the "Basic Political Writings," published by Hackett ...