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# A == !A

The phrase, _government in a free society_ is simply nonsensical.

### One is either free or governed.

Free people have rights. Freedom is the right to exercise all of one's rights. All Rights are moral rights, because no one has a right to do that which is immoral.

### One is either free or a slave.

Citizens, soldiers, and slaves have liberties. Whatever liberties the master or rulers permit. Liberties may be either moral or immoral.

So yeah, it is insane to equate governed people with free people. That would be like saying _A is not A_ at the same time and in the same sense.

And, that would be insane.

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Discussion

Boatface 2y ago

I’m generally with you and that’s well said.

It depends on your definition of slave. I’ve defined a slave as someone whose labor is owned by someone else. Perhaps “the degree to which you are not free is the degree to which you are a slave?”

Here’s a wrinkle, If you cannot sell yourself into slavery you are not free. (I’m well aware that the vast majority of slave were kidnapped)

Neopatriarch 2y ago

You're right the semantics gets a little squishy especially when viewed historically. In modern usage a slave is compelled to services. A servant, OTOH can do what you say, but the relationship is voluntary and any consent is revokable. Somewhat similar to at will employment.

Boatface 2y ago

Right. A servant exchanges his labor for value.