Grounds of Political Obligation: Gratitude or Benefit

Grounds of Political Obligation: Gratitude or Benefit

The Problem of Political Obligation

• The core issue is finding a valid basis for the obligation to obey the law.

Gratitude or Benefit as a Ground for Political Obligation

• One suggested solution, mentioned by Socrates in Plato's Crito, is that of gratitude or benefit.
• This perspective asserts that we are obliged to obey the state due to the significant benefits it provides.

Benefit Theory of Political Obligation

• Definition: Citizens are obligated to obey the state because of the benefits the state bestows upon them.
• This theory can be broken down into two claims:
  • Citizens are, in fact, benefited by the state.
  • Because citizens are benefited, they acquire an obligation to obey the state.

Claim 1: Citizens Are Benefited by the State

• This claim is generally plausible.
• States provide public goods such as:
  • Roads
  • Defense
  • Fire Service
  • Police
  • Healthcare (in many modern democratic states)

Claim 2: Being Benefited Generates an Obligation to Obey

• This claim is less clear and raises questions.

Question 1: Does Being Benefited Always Generate Obligations?

• Consider a scenario: Without your knowledge, I wash your car and do an excellent job.
  • I have saved you time and money, thus benefiting you.
  • Do you now have an obligation to me?
• It's not obvious that you have an obligation in this case.
  • You didn't ask for the service.
  • You weren't even aware of my existence.
  • The service was performed without your permission.
• While you might have a small obligation to express gratitude, it doesn't create an obligation to obey me.
• Conclusion: Simply bestowing a benefit is not sufficient to create an obligation of obedience.

Question 2: Does Being Benefited Generate Obligations to Obey the Benefactor?

• Even if an obligation arises from being benefited, does it necessitate obedience?
• Consider a scenario: I pay for our lunch.
  • You clearly have an obligation to thank me.
  • However, you don't have an obligation to obey me.
• Conclusion: Being benefited doesn't automatically create an obligation to obey the benefactor.

Relevance to the Benefit Theory

• The core issue: Does the state's provision of benefits create an obligation for citizens to obey?
• The car wash and lunch examples show that benefiting someone doesn't automatically create an obligation of obedience.
• At most, being benefited generates obligations to feel or express gratitude, not to obey.

Conclusion

• If an obligation to obey the law exists, it likely stems from a source other than merely being benefited by the state.