Is Political Authority an Illusion?
A Debate
Michael Huemer author Daniel Layman author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:10th Nov '21
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£27.99(9780367347451)
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. <
"This is an outstanding book that I look forward to using in teaching. It is ideally suited to a political philosophy or philosophy of law class. The writing is very accessible and the arguments sharply focussed. As in any good debate, one finds oneself changing one's mind, after reading each chapter! The authors do an excellent job, and I recommend this book enthusiastically."
John Martin Fischer, University of California, Riverside
ISBN: 9780367457747
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 358g
218 pages