Legal Obligation and Authority

Legal obligation refers to the duty individuals have to follow laws enacted by a governing authority. This is rooted in the idea that laws are necessary for social order and the common good. Authority, in this context, is the power that institutions (like governments) hold to create and enforce these laws. Political obligation encompasses the moral or ethical responsibilities citizens have to obey the law, often tied to the belief in the legitimacy of the government. Together, legal obligation and authority form the foundation of how society functions and maintains order.