Overview
The philosophical foundations of political authority delve into the reasons why governments are granted power and how that power is justified. Key concepts include legitimacy, consent, and the social contract, which together form the basis for understanding the relationship between individuals and t...
Key Terms
Example: A teacher has authority over students in a classroom.
Example: A government is considered legitimate if its citizens recognize its right to rule.
Example: Hobbes and Rousseau discussed different versions of the social contract.
Example: Citizens give consent to be governed through voting.
Example: A government using coercion may enforce laws through police action.
Example: Martin Luther King Jr. practiced civil disobedience during the Civil Rights Movement.