The Problem of Political Authority
The Problem of Political Authority: An Examination of the Right to Coerce and the Duty to Obey is a book by University of Colorado philosophy professor Michael Huemer released in January 2013. The first part of the book argues in detail for Huemer's interpretation of philosophical anarchism and argues against the legitimacy of political authority, while the second addresses political anarchism and the practical viability of anarcho-capitalism. History and promotion. In April 2011, while he was still writing the book (then titled "Freedom and Authority"), Huemer was profiled by the "Arts and Sciences  Magazine" of the University of Colorado, Boulder. The profile quoted Huemer as saying that political authority is "a moral illusion we’re suffering from." In May 2012, a few months prior to the publication of the book, Huemer defended the argument of the book in a video. Reception. Ole Martin Moen of the University of Oslo, Norway, reviewed the book in "Philosophical Quarterly". Moen concluded his review by writing: "In addition to being a solid scholarly work, Huemer’s book will work well as assigned reading in classes on political philosophy. It is bound to spark debate, and its inclusion  would help remedy the sad fact that anarchism is often either ignored or put aside without serious engagement. This is a pity, for even if one rejects his conclusions, Huemer makes it clear that anarchism is a sophisticated theory that deserves careful consideration." The book has also been reviewed in "Ethics" by George Klosko, Mind by Daniel Viehoff, and "Le Québécois Libre" by Bradley Doucet.