The clearest and most up-to-date organization of the problem and its various possible solutions, and a quite original solution of its own. Every political theorist will need this book ... It is more 'important' than 90% of the work published in philosophy. -- Joel Feinberg, University of Arizona

Outlining the major competing theories in the history of political and moral philosophy--from Locke and Hume through Hart, Rawls, and Nozick--John Simmons attempts to understand and solve the ancient problem of political obligation. Under what conditions and for what reasons (if any), he asks, are we morally bound to obey the law and support the political institutions of our countries?