[139] in libertarians
social contract
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (damartin@mtl.mit.edu)
Fri Aug 26 21:48:27 1994
Reply-To: damartin@mtl.mit.edu
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 1994 21:46:33 -0400
From: damartin@mtl.mit.edu
To: libertarians@MIT.EDU
Idea for a handout at the Midway:
We've all heard of the "Social Contract" -- the unwritten
agreement between individuals and "society" (i.e. the government.)
Rarely do people actually try to write down the exact terms of this
social contract. Below is the contract between the individual and the
state as it currently exists in the United States. Would you sign this
contract? Is this the sort of soceity envisioned by this country's
founders? If you find this contract too restrictive, you may be
interested in learning more about the Libertarian Party.
SOCIAL CONTRACT
between an individual and the United States Government
WHEREAS I wish to reside on the North American continent, and
WHEREAS the United States Government controls the area of the
continent on which I wish to reside, and WHEREAS tacit or implied
contracts are vague and therefore unenforceable,
I agree to the following terms:
SECTION 1: I will surrender a percentage of my property to the
Government. The actual percentage will be determined by the
Government and will be subject to change at any time. The amount
to be surrendered may be based on my income, the value of my pro-
perty, the value of my purchases, or any other criteria the
Government chooses. To aid the Government in determining the
percentage, I will apply for a Government identification number
that I will use in all my major financial transactions.
SECTION 2: Should the Government demand it, I will surrender my
liberty for a period of time determined by the government and
typically no shorter than two years. During that time, I will
serve the Government in any way it chooses, including military
service in which I may be called upon to sacrifice my life.
SECTION 3: I will limit my behavior as demanded by the govern-
ment. I will consume only those drugs permitted by the Govern-
ment. I will limit my sexual activities to those permitted by
the Government. I will forsake religious beliefs that conflict
with the Government's determination of propriety. More limits
may be imposed at any time.
SECTION 4: In consideration for the above, the Government will
permit me to find employment, subject to limits that will be
determined by the Government. These limits may restrict my
choice of career or the wages I may accept.
SECTION 5: The Government will permit me to reside in the area
of North America which it controls. Also, the Government will
permit me to speak freely, subject to limits determined by the
Government's Congress and Supreme Court.
SECTION 6: The Government will attempt to protect my life and my
claim to the property it has allowed me to keep. I agree not to
hold the Government liable if it fails to protect me or my pro-
perty.
SECTION 7: The Government will offer various services to me.
The nature and extent of these services will be determined by the
Government and are subject to change at any time.
SECTION 8: The Government will determine whether I may vote for
certain Government officials. The influence of my vote will vary
inversely with the number of voters, and I understand that it
typically will be minuscule. I agree not to hold any elected
Government officials liable for acting against my best interests
or for breaking promises, even if those promises motivated me to
vote for them.
SECTION 9: I agree that the Government may hold me fully liable
if I fail to abide by the above terms. In that event, the
Government may confiscate any property that I have not previously
surrendered to it, and may imprison me for a period of time to be
determined by the Government. I also agree that the Government
may alter the terms of this contract at any time without my permission.
---------------------------------- ---------------
signature date
Copyright 1989 by Robert E. Alexander.
May be distributed freely.
