Political obligation
Contemporary theory of civic duty
It asks whether there is a general moral duty to obey law and where it would come from.
Historical context
Modern arguments about consent, natural duty, and fair play offer different answers to why one should obey the law.
Overview
Benefiting from an institution can be involuntary. A reciprocity argument must explain when benefits generate duties and whether those duties extend to all institutional decisions.
Main claims
The existence and scope of a general duty to obey require their own justification.
Debates and nuances
Consent, fair play, and natural duties offer different families of answers.
This entry provides educational context.