Can the existence of the state be morally justified? What moral principles best explain why we should obey the state and its laws? Do citizens ever have a moral right to break the law? What conditions should civil disobedience satisfy? Is political violence ever morally justified? This module will critically evaluate how these questions have been addressed in historical and contemporary political theory, including their application to real-world cases. In so doing, students will develop their skills for interpretating texts in political theory as well as constructing, critiquing and communicating arguments in political theory.