The aim of this article is to analyze Rousseau’s concept of the social contract in terms of the categories of consent and public discourse. What type of agreement (consent) could give a fi rm foundation to the just social order that Rousseau was seeking? Is there any room for public discourse and, if so, what norms should it be based on, and what would be its goal? Does the departure from individualism towards some collective unity of a political community allows for any meaningful application of the term discourse? In order to answer these questions I discuss various aspects of the theory of the social contract and the problems it inevitably involves when used as an explanation of a desirable social order. I also try to shed some light on the Rousseau’s affinity with the ideals of classical republicanism and his failed attempt to apply them to the context of his time.