Reciprocity Without Compliance

Abstract

Any decent mechanic does more for society by fixing cars than paying taxes. (David Schmidtz, The Elements of Justice) Since you have been born and brought up and educated, could you say that you were not our offspring and our slave from the beginning. . .? (Plato, Crito) Fred owns an auto dealership. He is kind to children, bakes brownies for neighbors, and feeds stray cats. He also does not pay his taxes. Fred lives in a well-functioning democracy that respects human rights. His refusal is not an act of protest. He simply wants the money. One of the most common explanations for why Fred's behavior is wrong is that disobedience violates duties of reciprocity. 1 As H.L.A. Hart writes, "when a number of persons conduct any joint enterprise according to rules and thus restrict their liberty, those who have submitted to these restrictions when required have a right to a similar submission from those For immensely helpful encouragement and discussion I would like to thank Ya'ir