ABSTRACT

What gives some people the right to issue commands to everyone else and force everyone else to obey them? And why should people obey the commands of those with political power? These two key questions are the heart of the issue of political authority, and, in this volume, two philosophers debate the answers.

Michael Huemer argues that political authority is an illusion and that no one is entitled to rule over anyone. He discusses and rebuts the major theories supporting political authority’s rightfulness: implicit social contract theory, hypothetical contract theories, democratic theories of authority, and utilitarian theories. Daniel Layman argues that democratic governments have authority because they are needed to protect our rights and because they are accountable to the people. Each author writes two replies directly addressing the arguments and ideas of the other.

Key Features

  • Covers a key foundational problem of political philosophy: the authority of government.
  • Debate format ensures a full hearing of both sides.
  • A Glossary includes key concepts in political philosophy related to the issue of authority.
  • Annotated Further Reading sections point students to additional resources.
  • Clear, concrete examples and arguments help students clearly see both sides of the argument.
  • A Foreword by Matt Zwolinski describes a broader context for political authority and then traces the key points and turns in the authors’ debate.

chapter |9 pages

Foreword

Do Governments Have Political Authority?

part |103 pages

Opening Statements

chapter Chapter 1|52 pages

The Illusion of Authority

chapter Chapter 2|49 pages

Rights, Respect, and Equality

The Basis of Authority

part |51 pages

First Round of Replies

chapter Chapter 4|25 pages

Accountability, Methodology, and Respect

A Reply to Huemer

part |30 pages

Second Round of Replies

chapter Chapter 5|15 pages

A Second Reply to Layman on Authority

chapter Chapter 6|13 pages

A Second Reply to Huemer on Authority