The Problem of Authority: Revisiting the Service Conception

42 Pages Posted: 4 Sep 2007

See all articles by Joseph Raz

Joseph Raz

University of Oxford - Faculty of Law; Columbia University - Law School; King's College London - The Dickson Poon School of Law

Abstract

The problem I have in mind is the problem of the possible justification of subjecting one's will to that of another, and of the normative standing of demands to do so. The account of authority that I offered, many years ago, under the title of the service conception of authority, addressed this issue, and assumed that all other problems regarding authority are subsumed under it. Many found the account implausible. It is thin, relying on very few ideas. It may well appear to be too thin, and to depart too far from many of the ideas that have gained currency in the history of reflection on authority. The present article modifies some aspects the account, and defends it against some criticism made against it.

Keywords: Jurisprudence, Authority, Consent Democracy

Suggested Citation

Raz, Joseph, The Problem of Authority: Revisiting the Service Conception. Minnesota Law Review, Vol. 90, pp. 1003-1044, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=999849

Joseph Raz (Contact Author)

University of Oxford - Faculty of Law ( email )

St. Cross Building
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Oxford, OX1 3UJ
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://josephnraz.googlepages.com/home

Columbia University - Law School ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://josephnraz.googlepages.com/home

King's College London - The Dickson Poon School of Law ( email )

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Strand
London, WC2R 2LS
United Kingdom

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