Opposing Authority

[Marc O'Brien]

Here is one for philosophical discussion but has practical applications.

What is your view?

We covered this sort of question in our "Political Philosophy" Module...

Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan 1651 gives a good starting point...

Man, before society, a pre-societal condition, starts in a state of nature...

In obeying the civil authority of a society, each gives up his right to punish those who steal from him or damages his property or otherwise infringe their natural rights.

They do not however give up natural rights to life and property with respect to the civil authority. The authority is charged to act on their behalf but subject to democratic control. Unlike a sovereign.

The people retain the right to remove the civil authority if it fails to adequately secure their rights. If it attempts to override democratic control then there is a return to the state of nature and so the people have the right to overthrow and replace the civil authority.

[Tool-Slinger]

We covered this sort of question in our "Political Philosophy" Module...

Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan 1651 gives a good starting point...

Man, before society, a pre-societal condition, starts in a state of nature...

In obeying the civil authority of a society, each gives up his right to punish those who steal from him or damages his property or otherwise infringe their natural rights.

They do not however give up natural rights to life and property with respect to the civil authority. The authority is charged to act on their behalf but subject to democratic control. Unlike a sovereign.

The people retain the right to remove the civil authority if it fails to adequately secure their rights. If it attempts to override democratic control then there is a return to the state of nature and so the people have the right to overthrow and replace the civil authority.

Very well put as far as a nice theoretical overview works. That is a nice input to the thread marc.

[adamste81]

we're going to change your name to mikethe duckandrun not really a ductman.........

classic