| ID | 106418 |
| Title Proper | Are political obligations content independent |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Kloskko, George |
| Publication | 2011. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Current scholars generally view political obligations as "content independent." Citizens have moral reasons to obey the law because it is the law, rather than because of the content of different laws. However, this position is subject to criticism on both theoretical and practical grounds. The main consideration in favor of content independence, the so-called "self-image of the state," does not actually support it. Properly understood, the state's self-image is to comply with laws because of the underlying moral reasons that justify them, rather than because they are laws. Because content independence has played a central role in the widespread belief that a suitable theory of political obligation is not possible, rejecting it allows the possibility of a theory that establishes moral requirements for virtually all citizens to behave in accordance with virtually all laws, although these requirements are particular to different laws, and subjects are not required to obey them because they are laws. |
| `In' analytical Note | Political Theory Vol. 39, No. 4; Aug 2011: p498-523 |
| Journal Source | Political Theory Vol. 39, No. 4; Aug 2011: p498-523 |
| Key Words | Political Obligation ; Content Independence ; Self-image of the State ; Philosophical Anarchism ; Principle of Fairness |