mutual obligation
Two-way binding commitment
Mutual obligation describes duties that flow in both directions between parties—each owes something to the other.
The term appears in contract law, social philosophy, and discussions of citizenship: The welfare system rests on mutual obligation between recipients and the state.
In employment contexts, it captures the reciprocal duties between employer and employee.
The phrase emphasizes that obligations aren't one-sided; if you expect something, you must give something in return.
- trustConfidence in another
- good faithSincere, honest intent
- dutyRequired moral task
- moral dutyEthical requirement to act
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
give and take · reciprocity · quid pro quo · covenant · contract · binding agreement · agreement · unwritten rule · debt · solidarity · shared responsibility · reliance · responsibility · symbiosis · fairness · fealty · interdependence · enforceability
- shared debtshared mortgage
- shared responsibilityteamwork, cooperation, collaboration, collective action, co-ownership
- Third WayTony Blair, Bill Clinton, New Labour, triangulation, DLC
- debt offsetoffset, setoff, netting, clearing
mutual obligationdomination
Supreme authority held
exploitation · imposition · subjugation · servitude · tribute