Slavery, Serfdom, Bondage

Abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, Just War theory and other such hot topics.

Moderators: AMod, iMod

Post Reply
RWStanding
Posts: 384
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2016 12:23 pm

Slavery, Serfdom, Bondage

Post by RWStanding »

Slavery, Serfdom, Bondage
"A person who is the legal property of another and bound to absolute obedience" is a typical definition of slavery at its extreme. As such there is no sensible possibility of slavery in any egalitarian society, from altruist to anarchist. It is consonant only with an entirely opposed form of society with extreme caste, or class, namely a tyranny. Serfdom is where people are more or less enslaved to a place and occupation, rather than a person. A person may even place himself in bondage due to circumstances beyond his control. None of which can be acceptable to altruist democracy.
If we are living in a world that is nationally anarchistic, as seems to be the case, then some countries may countenance forms of slavery. Pragmatically, altruist nations may have to accept this, for the time being. In the long term these opposing societies cannot co-exist, with all measures rational taken to resolve the conflict.
The European Convention refers to slavery as "forced or compulsory labour" and has several fair exceptions as in natural disaster, or detained criminals. Both of these are temporary measures.
That people in prison should work is not an imposition. Altruist society is such that people have a need and responsibility to work for mutual advantage, and for employment to be available of a suitable kind. Those who are in prison are no different, and the employment provided should also be suited to the person. This would not include the 19C treadmill!
It is quite likely that the 21st Century we are now in, has such problems that everyone who is fit and able should be obliged by social convention to be employed to some degree, charitably or otherwise.
Post Reply