Abstract
The article presents a critical reassessment of the legal philosophical writings of Joseph Raz. The critique develops from the author’s previous argument that law is – contra recent near-consensus – best understood as “the command of the sovereign, backed by force.” Given that this is the distinctly defining feature of law, Raz’s extended preoccupation with “reasons for obeying law” is misplaced and even nonsensical.
Disciplines
Law and Economics | Law and Philosophy
Date of this Version
3-8-2020
Working Paper Citation
Stumpff Morrison, Andrew, "The 'Authority' of Law: Joseph Raz Reconsidered" (2020). Law & Economics Working Papers. 195.
https://repository.law.umich.edu/law_econ_current/195