anotherlife
Gold Member
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution specify, that governments derive their legitimacy from the governed. Also, the universal foundation of law is the strong reciprocity between rights and responsibilities.
That is, if you have rights then you have responsibilities. Also, if you have responsibilities then you have rights. And the opposite is also true, if you have no responsibilities then you have no rights. And if you have no rights then you have no responsibilities.
This has been true forever everywhere on Earth until 1913. For example a Wild West judge or a 3rd world tribal chief has the legitimacy to dispense judgement for responsibilities because each tribesman has a right to their cattle or farmland.
But now, the law says that the right of ownership is exclusive to the government only, and you can only rent it simply through taxation. So you are now a serf, and no longer have rights.
Therefore, what legitimacy does a modern government have, to dispense judgement for responsibilities?
Let me guess, the answer is not a legal one. The answer is simply that the government can kill you.
Discuss.
That is, if you have rights then you have responsibilities. Also, if you have responsibilities then you have rights. And the opposite is also true, if you have no responsibilities then you have no rights. And if you have no rights then you have no responsibilities.
This has been true forever everywhere on Earth until 1913. For example a Wild West judge or a 3rd world tribal chief has the legitimacy to dispense judgement for responsibilities because each tribesman has a right to their cattle or farmland.
But now, the law says that the right of ownership is exclusive to the government only, and you can only rent it simply through taxation. So you are now a serf, and no longer have rights.
Therefore, what legitimacy does a modern government have, to dispense judgement for responsibilities?
Let me guess, the answer is not a legal one. The answer is simply that the government can kill you.
Discuss.