Social Atomism: as rational, self-interested individuals, we are interested in promoting the social good through a contract because it benefits us personally (Hobbes, Locke)

1
What is the Basis of Political Obligation? Why
Obey the Law?

• Social Atomism as rational, self-interested
  individuals, we are interested in promoting the
  social good through a contract because it
  benefits us personally (Hobbes, Locke)
• Communitarianism we are obligated to obey the
  law because it reaffirms our inherently social
  nature (Wolgast, Sandel)

2
Social Contract TheoryThomas Hobbes
(1588-1679)

• Fear of others in the state of nature
  (i.e., apart from society) prompts people
  to enter into a social contract
• Governmental authority is based on our decision
  to give up our rights and abide by the social
  contract in order to achieve peace

3
Natural RightsJohn Locke
(1632-1704)

• We have God-given rights to our life, liberty,
  and property (gained through labor)
• We establish governments to clarify and protect
  our freedom and natural rights (especially the
  ownership of property)
• State authority is based on the explicit or tacit
  consent of the majority of a people

4
CommunitarianismMichael Sandel
(1953 - )

• We do not form governments or follow laws simply
  to promote individual self-interests such a view
  assumes that our commitment to community is only
  a means to avoid conflict (Hobbes) or to protect
  our rights (Locke)
• The purpose of government is to encourage us to
  recognize how we are constituted in our communal
  relations to one another