{"product_id":"is-political-authority-an-illusion-a-debate-paperback","title":"Is Political Authority an Illusion?: A Debate - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eMichael Huemer\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eZwolinski Matt\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by), \u003cb\u003eDaniel Layman\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMichael 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eCovers a key foundational problem of political philosophy: the authority of government.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDebate format ensures a full hearing of both sides.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eA Glossary includes key concepts in political philosophy related to the issue of authority.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAnnotated Further Reading sections point students to additional resources.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eClear, concrete examples and arguments help students clearly see both sides of the argument.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eA Foreword by Matt Zwolinski describes a broader context for political authority and then traces the key points and turns in the authors' debate.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichael Huemer\u003c\/strong\u003e is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado at Boulder, USA. He is the author of more than 70 academic articles in ethics, epistemology, political philosophy, and metaphysics, as well as seven amazing books that you should immediately buy, including \u003ci\u003eThe Problem of Political Authority\u003c\/i\u003e (2013), \u003ci\u003eDialogues on Ethical Vegetarianism\u003c\/i\u003e (2019), and \u003ci\u003eJustice Before the Law\u003c\/i\u003e (2021).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDaniel Layman\u003c\/b\u003e is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Davidson College, USA and specializes in political theory and the history of political thought. He is the author of numerous articles in leading journals and the book, \u003ci\u003eLocke Among the Radicals: Liberty and Property in the Nineteenth Century\u003c\/i\u003e (2020). \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMatt Zwolinski is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Center for Ethics, Economics, and Public Policy at the University of San Diego, USA. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 208\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.46 x 8.27 x 5.83 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 10, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42160275554439,"sku":"9780367347451","price":69.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/c90e2c0a2cd9b3e8350e208ae387fc9a.webp?v=1733273038","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/is-political-authority-an-illusion-a-debate-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}