Political Obligation

Definition

Political obligation refers to the moral duty or responsibility that citizens have to obey the laws and support the political institutions of the state or government to which they belong. It is a fundamental concept in political philosophy that explores the justification and nature of the relationship between the individual and the state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The concept of political obligation is central to debates about the justification of state authority and the limits of state power over individuals.
2. Theories of political obligation range from the idea of a tacit social contract to arguments based on the benefits citizens receive from the state.
3. The strength of political obligation can vary based on factors such as the perceived legitimacy of the government, the individual's sense of civic duty, and the specific laws or policies in question.
4. Philosophers have long debated whether political obligation is a moral duty or simply a prudential consideration, and whether it can be overridden in certain circumstances.
5. The extent and nature of political obligation are closely tied to broader questions of political philosophy, such as the role of the state, the rights of individuals, and the justification of state coercion.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of political legitimacy is related to the idea of political obligation.
  • The perceived legitimacy of a political system or government is a key factor in determining the level of political obligation citizens feel towards it. If a government is viewed as legitimate, based on factors such as its adherence to the rule of law, democratic processes, and protection of individual rights, citizens are more likely to feel a moral duty to obey its laws and support its institutions. Conversely, a government that is seen as illegitimate or unjust may face greater resistance and a weaker sense of political obligation from its citizens.
• Describe how the social contract theory of political obligation differs from other justifications for the duty to obey the state.
  • The social contract theory posits that individuals tacitly or explicitly agree to a set of mutual rights and duties with the state, in exchange for the benefits and protections of political membership. This theory grounds political obligation in a voluntary agreement, rather than, for example, arguments based on the inherent authority of the state or the benefits citizens receive. Other justifications for political obligation, such as arguments from gratitude or fairness, do not rely on the same idea of a hypothetical contract between the individual and the government. The social contract theory thus provides a distinct philosophical framework for understanding the basis of political obligation.
• Evaluate the potential limits or exceptions to political obligation, and explain how they relate to the broader debates in political philosophy.
  • Political philosophers have long grappled with the question of whether political obligation can be overridden in certain circumstances, such as when the state engages in grave injustices or violates individual rights. Theories of civil disobedience and the right to revolution suggest that there may be limits to the duty to obey the state, particularly when the government's actions are perceived as fundamentally illegitimate or in conflict with higher moral principles. These debates touch on fundamental issues in political philosophy, such as the balance between individual liberty and state authority, the justification of state coercion, and the conditions under which citizens may be morally justified in resisting or disobeying the state.

Related terms

Political Legitimacy: The justification for the authority and power of a political system or government, which can impact the level of political obligation citizens feel towards it.

Social Contract:

The hypothetical agreement between the individual and the state that outlines the mutual rights and duties, serving as a basis for political obligation.

Civic Duty: The moral and legal responsibilities that citizens have to actively participate in and support the functioning of their political community.