This monograph investigates whether the modern state possesses legitimate authority over its citizens and under what conditions such authority can be justified. Leslie Green, a prominent legal and political philosopher, examines the foundational relationship between the state and the individual. By analyzing the moral requirements of political obligation, Green challenges the assumption that state authority is inherently valid, arguing instead that it must be grounded in the consent of the governed.

Scholars and students of political philosophy frequently cite this work as a rigorous and essential contribution to the debate on political obligation. Experts highlight the clarity of Green's analytical approach, noting that it serves as a foundational text for those examining the intersection of law, morality, and state legitimacy.