Democracy and Disobedience"Why, or in what circumstances, ought we to obey the law? Anyone seeking a dispassionate answer to this question should be able to follow the argument of this book. It centres on the common view that disobedience to the law, while justifiable in a dictatorship, is much more difficult to justify in a democracy. Proceeding from simple, small-scale societies, the author develops a distinctive theory of political obligation in an ideal democracy; and after discussing various forms of disobedience, including conscientious objection, the author asks to what extent existing systems of government approximate to this ideal."--From book jacket. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION I | 1 |
PART I | 13 |
The Possibility of Repeal | 20 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
accept the verdict act of disobedience actual consent apply argued argument campaign Catholics citizens civil disobedience claim conception of justice conscientious objector consent theory consideration Dahl decision decision-procedure democratic process democratic reasons democratic society democratic theory direct democracy discussion dispute Dissenter election electoral equal exemption existence fact fair compromise favour form of government give rise groups Ibid important issues J. S. Mill judgement justified legal means legitimate Londonderry majority Marcuse ment minority moral obligation moral reasons Northern Ireland obeying the law objection obligation to accept obligation to obey one's participation particular parties political obligation political system polyarchy position possible principles procedure Protestant R. M. Hare Rawls reasons for obedience refuse relevant representation representative representative democracy Russell Senior Member shared conception system of government theory of justice third association third model association three models tion unfair utilitarian views violation violence vote voters