"The Social Contract" is a philosophical concept primarily associated with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who published a book of the same name in 1762. It explores the idea that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a society and accept certain moral and political obligations in exchange for protection and the benefits of communal living. This agreement forms the basis of legitimate political authority. Rousseau argues that in a natural state, humans are free and equal, but the establishment of society leads to inequality and conflict. The social contract aims to create a collective agreement that prioritizes the common good, ensuring that individual freedoms are preserved while promoting social harmony.