Essay On Political Obligation

Political obligation is defined as “… the moral duty of citizens to obey the laws of their state. In cases where an act or forbearance that is required by law is morally obligatory on independent grounds, political obligation simply gives the citizen an additional reason for acting accordingly” (Dobos). Essentially, this term refers to the obligation of members of a community to adhere to the duties one owes to society, setting aside individual judgements. This is a concept which is encompassed by two highly renowned political philosophers in their written works, namely Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Both philosophers encompass the notion of the State of Nature in their writings, which ultimately foster slightly varying viewpoints and perspectives with regards to political obligation as a whole. These writings have ultimately paved the way for our perceptions of political obligation today, as this has now become a very pertinent topic in modern society. In Leviathan, Hobbes focuses primarily on the notion that those who fail to abide by the law may impose a severe threat to society as a whole, and that without the law, society dissolves into a “nasty, brutish, and short” state. This is the very essence of the State of Nature. Locke, meanwhile, in his Second Treatise of Government, shares a similar perspective to Hobbes, but claims that there is a median point in between peace and war. As is evidenced by these two philosophers’ writings, political obligation has emerged as a pressing topic, and is undoubtedly an issue we should care about today. In this essay, I will set out to assert why we should care about political obligation, compare the varying viewpoints of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, and ultimately contend which parts of ...

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...individuals will be able to continue to carry out these objectives, as this is their paramount desire.

The second law of nature, meanwhile, states, “… a man [must] be willing, when others are too, as far forth as for peace and defence of himself he shall think it necessary, to lay down his right to all things, and be contented with so much liberty against other men, as he would allow other men against himself” (cite). Essentially, this means that in order to attain peace, individuals must be open to give up their right of nature, and permit all to possess the same degree of liberty they desire for themselves. This liberty grants them the freedom to chase their own dreams. All in all, Hobbes makes it clear that individuals wish to feel secure and comfortable in any state, for a variety of reasons, and will carry out the necessary actions in order to sustain this.