If it is 'purely hypothetical', why should we take any interest in the Original Position in the world outside? (PDF)

Essay from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - General and Theories of International Politics, grade: 2.2, Middle East Technical University, language: English, abstract: If it is 'purely hypothetical', why should we take any interest in the Original Position in the world outside?

Although hypothetical contracts are frequently being criticized due to its non-binding nature which means that it cannot justify political authority and create political obligation, it has the ability to legitimate political arrangements. Hypothetical contracts serves as an instrument for the formation of the practical reasons of distinctive agents who are looking for an answer to a typical problem wherein the condition of the acceptance of the derived solution is agreed upon by everyone since it is the only way to resolve the issue (Knowles 2001, 279). However, most individuals perceive it as not sufficient enough to oblige a certain person to obey a rule or policy. But, under some instances, it can constitute to the legitimacy of the rule. It is significant for people to understand that the hypothetical consent attribute of a social contract theory is directed to establish legitimacy and not obligation. With this, we can determine that the facts that hypothetical contracts are not binding does not have to do anything regarding the creation of one's obligation. [...]