Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: KrisKrinkle
Agreed. And the Social Contract they had then was different from the one they have now and different from our’s.

This time I was being humorous: in Japanese culture, a person of higher standing had the authority to kill anyone of lower social standing for any reason that pleased him. That's not a "contract"; the peasants in this case most certainly never agreed to anything. But if they don't like it, their only choice is to flee Japan. So this obviously unjust institution fits your idea of a "social contract", and the "social contract" in the US has similarly bad implications--for example, that policemen can break into a house, shoot the occupants, explain that they meant to raid the "crack house" next door, and get away with murder. I can't escape this injustice without fleeing the country.

410 posted on 02/25/2006 5:36:53 AM PST by Shalom Israel (Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 402 | View Replies ]


To: Shalom Israel

“But if they don't like it, their only choice is to flee Japan. “

No its not. They can become outlaws. Do not some martial arts weapons descend from farm implements because of this? The peasants took a dim view of being denied arms so went outside the law and turned their farm implements into weapons.

They can also force change and “…institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.


“That's not a "contract"; the peasants in this case most certainly never agreed to anything.”

One could argue they “signed” their agreement by not fleeing, becoming outlaws or revolting.


“So this obviously unjust institution fits your idea of a ‘social contract’…”

Unfounded attribution—at least I don’t recall saying any such thing.


“…and the "social contract" in the US has similarly bad implications--for example, that policemen can break into a house, shoot the occupants, explain that they meant to raid the "crack house" next door, and get away with murder. I can't escape this injustice without fleeing the country.”

Looks like an establishment of imitation and approximation probably for the purpose of having an easy target.


438 posted on 02/25/2006 5:32:02 PM PST by KrisKrinkle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 410 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson