‎ROUSSEAU, J.J.‎
‎Del Contratto Sociale, ossia Principi del Diritto Politico di G.G. Rousseau Cittadino di Ginevra. Venezia, Tipografia di Antonio Curti, Presso Giustino Pasquali Q. Mario, 1797. - (Bound with:) ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques. Discorso sopra l'Economia Politica di G.G. Roussaeau Cittadino di Ginevra.‎

‎Venezia, Tipografia di Antonio Curti, Presso Giustino Pasquali Q. Mario, 1797. Two works bound in one volume. viii, 207, (1) blank pp.; 68 pp. 8vo. Modern blue cloth, red label with gilt lettering to spine. First work: Sénelier 721; Dufour 169; this edition not found in RLIN or OCLC. First Italian edition of this translation, the first Italian translation (1796) was published outside Italy, in Paris. 'His fundamental thesis that government depends absolutely on the mandate of the people, and his genuine creative insight into a number of political and economic problems, gives his work an indisputable cogency. It had the most profound influence on the political thinking of the generation following its publication. It was, after all, the first great emotional plea for the equality of men in the state; others had argued that same cause theoretically but, had themselves tolerated a very different government ... it remains the crucial document of egalitarian government' (PMM).Second work: Sénelier 1470; OCLC lists copies at McGill and the Wellcome Library.First edition in Italian of Rousseau's important contribution to economics.Rousseau's article on political economy, originally written for publication in the Encyclopédie, remained his most explicit contribution to the subject. His sustained argument against luxury and conspicuous consumption of the rising European bourgeoisie implied a direct criticism and rejection of the mercantilists. His article, published well before any of the published statements of the Physiocrats, shows similarities or anticipates the physiocratic school in important issues of property and to some extent on taxation (He also cites China as an example). His Lockean discussion of the right of property and his treatment of taxation are of particular interest. Taxation is 'inevitable', and he suggests a tax on consumption, paid for by the buyer of non-essential items or services, foreshadowing modern VAT. Most importantly his single-minded opposition to economic inequality and his insistence that liberal laissez-faire was no substitute for a theory of social relations, influenced political reformers and political economists alike.Both works were translated by the Italian Niccolò Rota. - Old handwritten name on first title, light stain in upper inner margin of the first work, an uncut copy. ‎

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