1. Overview
Do we have an obligation to obey laws?
Political Philosophy is examine philosophical questions about
- the relationship between states and its citizen
- relations between states
- political obligation
2. Problem of Political Obligation
State make demands to us
- Taxes, Army
The **problem **is Why should we obey the laws
Note: $Obeying \not= Complying $
- Comply: do what the law commands, or they will be punished
- Obey: do what the law commands because the law commands it
3. The Grounds of Political Obligation
benefit theory, can be divided in 2 parts
people benefit from state—clear
people have to obey the law—not clear,because:
does being benefited always generate obligations?
No, if I do something for others, I get a “Thank you”, it’s not obligations
does being benefited generate obligations to obey?
Consent theory: we’ve consented to the state and to having such obligations to it. Problem:
Insufficient people have given consent
Reply: Expressed and tacit (vote \ using public services) consent
it only generates obligation if one is able to withhold consent
Too easy to avoid
Reply, it’s not easy to avoid tacit cosent
Re:Reply, many people have no effective alternative to remaining within their state
Fairness theory: Citizens are a part of cooperative enterprises that are mutually beneficial and fair.
We’re born in states
We’re limited in our ability to leave the state
4. What if the Problem can’t be solved
We should reconsider states