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The Ethical Basis of Political Authority
Paperback
PhilosophyGeneral Political Science
ISBN13: 9781025642871
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 472
Weight: 1.44
Height: 0.95 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Ethical Basis of Political Authority is a profound examination of the moral justifications underlying the power of the state. Written by the distinguished political scientist Westel W. Willoughby, this work delves into the fundamental question of why individuals owe allegiance to a governing body and what constitutes the ethical legitimacy of political rule.
Willoughby systematically analyzes various theories of the state, exploring the tension between individual liberty and social control. He moves beyond mere legalistic interpretations of sovereignty to address the deeper philosophical foundations of justice and duty. The text explores the complex relationship between ethics and law, examining how moral principles inform the structure of political institutions and the exercise of administrative power. By critiquing traditional concepts such as the social contract and the historical foundations of rule, Willoughby offers a comprehensive synthesis of political thought that remains a cornerstone for scholars of jurisprudence and governance.
This scholarly inquiry serves as a critical bridge between classic political theory and modern legal philosophy, providing a rigorous framework for understanding the ethical dimensions of organized society and the rights of the individual within the collective.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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