Should We Obey the Government?

This podcast explores the legitimacy of political authority, arguing that the common justifications for government power, such as social contract theory and the will of the majority, are flawed. It further suggests that cognitive biases like the status quo bias and Stockholm syndrome contribute to people's tendency to accept governmental authority, even when it is unjustified or harmful, emphasizing the need for greater skepticism towards government.

Social Contract Theory

• 00:00:00 The podcast challenges the social contract theory, which suggests a contractual relationship between the government and its citizens. It argues that this theory lacks a real basis as no one has ever signed such a contract, and that most states were founded on war and conquest. The concept of implicit consent, which replaces explicit consent, is also challenged.

Implicit Consent

• 00:03:01 Four main types of implicit consent are discussed: passive consent, consent through acceptance of benefits, consent through participation, and consent through presence. Each of these is critiqued as not providing a valid basis for a contract due to the lack of a viable way to reject the supposed agreement. The authors assert that no form of implicit consent grants legitimacy to political authority.

Majority Consent

• 00:05:55 The podcast critiques the idea that majority consent justifies political authority. It highlights the ethical inappropriateness of a larger group imposing its will upon a smaller group, using the example of a group dinner bill. Furthermore, it is considered morally problematic for a majority to strip a minority of rights or impose harmful actions.

Consequentialist Arguments

• 00:07:31 The podcast refutes consequentialist arguments for political authority, which assert that benefits of a government outweigh the costs of obedience. It argues that these arguments are flawed and subjective as there is no clear way to measure the total costs and benefits. Furthermore, numerous historical examples of detrimental governments demonstrate that such arguments can be invalid.

Cognitive Biases

• 00:09:24 The podcast posits that humans' tendency to believe in the legitimacy of political authority stems from cognitive biases. It discusses the status quo bias, which promotes a preference for the established order, and Stockholm syndrome, where individuals under control of a powerful group develop positive feelings towards them. Finally, it explores the role of cognitive dissonance, which explains our tendency to justify obedience even if it supports immoral acts.