Civility and Disobedience

Originally published in 1975, this book seeks to examine the problem of political obligation: when are we obligated to obey the laws?

Burton Zwiebach (Author)

9780521134668, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 March 2010

252 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.5 cm, 0.33 kg

Originally published in 1975, this book seeks to examine the problem of political obligation: when are we obligated to obey the laws? It presents a critique of traditional justifications of obligation - especially of social contract theory - and attempts to develop a fresh theory of obligation as both justified and limited by the need to substitute the culture of civility for the violence and barbarism of pre-political society. Civility, it is argued, can be attained by the creation of a common political life, characterised by equality, liberty, participation, and accountability of public authority. Dr Zwiebach's argument on behalf of a broadened conception of civility and disobedience was a significant contribution to the important dialogue on political obligation, on a more civilised notion as 'common life', on 'right', 'politics', and on the strengths and weaknesses of the theory and practice of liberalism.

Preface
Part I. Civility: 1. The setting
2. Traditional justifications of obligation: a critique
3. Civility and obligation
4. The conditions of obligation
Part II. Disobedience: 5. The right to disobey
6. The varieties of disobedience
7. Stability revisited
8. Permissiveness and restraint
Notes to the text
Index.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP]