"The body politic is formed by a voluntary association of individuals: it is a social compact, by which the whole people covenants with each citizen, and each citizen with the whole people, that all shall be governed by certain laws for the common good."
-excerpted from the Preamble to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Let me comment in two ways.
ReplyDeleteFIRST – concerning the possibility that a political organization is a voluntary association. This might hinge upon how a person defines “political” and “voluntary”. But I believe that under most common usages a political organization is clearly not voluntary.
In the usual history, a subset of people from a given region gather to approve a constitution. Among this subset the constitution may be voluntary -- if all agree. But there are probably others who live in the region who would not agree. These others are swept in against their will.
The drafting and adoption of the US Constitution shows conspiracy among a particular set people. These better-organized people called themselves “federalists”. They advanced their economic interests. They succeeded in defeating the poorer, less-well-organized classes called “anti-federalists”. I have been reminded of this history during the past week, while reading a biography of Jefferson by Albert Jay Nock.
SECOND – concerning why we’re here. We can debate as human beings who seek a safer and more promising environment for ourselves and our heirs. This debate need not assume that the present political order will rule forever. I have adopted an assumption that the present political order is going to do what it is going to do, regardless of what I say or think. But I can still participate in developing a better understanding of social institutions, an understanding which my influence a future set of founding fathers.
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ReplyDeleteThat's funny I don't remember signing anything...
ReplyDeleteThat makes a lot of sense. You're not an immigrant are you? At some point back, we all have an immigrant (or a founder). They signed something. You inherited their commitment, along with their legacy.
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