“The problem is to find a form of association which will defend and protect with the whole common force the person and goods of each associate, and in which each, while uniting himself with all, may still obey himself alone, and remain as free as before.”

I think The CONSTITUTION of UNITED DIVERSITY meets this criteria http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uniteddiversity

And, we are still looking.

brillian man with good ideas about thematic elements of government that would come well after his time.

to my mind the best quote ever made!

.....But there's a mistake insofar as this quote does not come from the Social contract but from the discourse about the origin of inegalities among mens

The natural law's representative republic, limited by the Constitution was a phenomenal answer to the statement. A social contract is an unlawful oxymoron and a despotic lie.

Yes, that is the problem isn't it. Just goes to show that Liberty requires constant attention and defense. Great ideals such as this started the French Revolution, unfortunately after the monarchy was torn down, the socialists assumed the same power. Something to be watchful about in America should revolution come again...