The problem of political authority : an examination of the right to coerce and the duty to obey / Michael Huemer.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 339-356) and index.

Part 1: The illusion of authority. The Problem of Political Authority ; The Traditional Social Contract Theory ; The Hypothetical Social Contract Theory ; The Authority of Democracy ; Consequentialism and Fairness ; The Psychology of Authority ; What If There Is No Authority?. -- Part 2: Society without authority. Evaluating Social Theories ; The Logic of Predation ; Individual Security in a Stateless Society ; Criminal Justice and Dispute Resolution ; War and Societal Defense ; From Democracy to Anarchy.

"Modern states commonly deploy coercion in a wide array of circumstances in which the resort to force would clearly be wrong for any private agent. What entitles the state to behave in this manner? And why should citizens obey its commands? This book examines theories of political authority, from the social contract theory, to theories of democratic authorization, to fairness- and consequence-based theories. Ultimately, no theory of authority succeeds, and thus no government has the kind of authority often ascribed to governments. The author goes on to discuss how voluntary and competitive institutions could provide the central goods for the sake of which the state is often deemed necessary, including law, protection from private criminals, and national security. An orderly and livable society thus does not require acquiescence in the illusion of political authority."--Publisher's website.