9. The Social Contract
Forging a Social Contract for Sovereign Freedom and True Consent.
“There may have been somewhere, as a few eighteenth-century philosophers dreamed, a group of peaceful men who got together one evening after work and drew up a Social Contract to form the state. But nobody has been able to find an actual record of it. Practically all the governments whose origins are historically established were the result of conquest-of one tribe by another, one city by another, one people by another. Of course there have been constitutional conventions, but they merely changed the working rules of governments already in being.”—Henry Hazlitt
This is one of a series of articles about ParaGov, what it stands for, and how it can create freedom for you, your family, and your community. ParaGov promotes a more evolved form of self-governance through decentralized communities that are based on voluntary transactions.
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7. A Sovereign Individual's Point Form Constitution
8. The Sovereign Individual's Constitution
Since there has never been a Social Contract, and based on the the ParaGov point-form Sovereign Individual Constitution, I instructed Grok.AI to come up with one. The parties to The Social Contract are Sovereign Individuals, and Local and National Service Providers.
And the first draft of The Social Contract seems like an excellent start.
Unless you’re a tyrant.
The Social Contract for Sovereign Individuals
We, the Sovereign Individuals, guided by the Constitution for Sovereign Individuals, together with Local and National Service Providers, enter this voluntary Social Contract to secure our inalienable rights to life, liberty, and self-ownership. Recognizing that traditional governments, often born of conquest rather than consent, have imposed coercive control, we reject such systems. Instead, we establish a framework of consensual, transparent, and accountable services, provided on a fee-for-service basis, to meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities. Governed by Natural and Common Law, this contract ensures no infringement on personal autonomy, fostering a society rooted in mutual respect, responsibility, and liberty.
Parties to the Contract
This Social Contract is entered into by all Sovereign Individuals and Local and National Service Providers. All Sovereign Individuals are expected to sign this Social Contract and adhere to its principles throughout their lives, committing to uphold the rights and responsibilities outlined herein. This commitment is particularly critical for those employed by Local or National Service Providers. As employees, Sovereign Individuals agree to abide by the Social Contract, ensuring their actions align with its principles of liberty, transparency, and accountability. Individuals who refuse to sign this Social Contract are prohibited from employment with Local or National Service Providers, as their participation is essential to maintaining the integrity of the governance framework. This requirement ensures that all who contribute to the delivery of services uphold the values of sovereignty and mutual respect.
Core Rights and Individual Sovereignty
At the heart of this Social Contract lies the principle of self-ownership, granting each individual absolute authority over their body, mind, and labor. No coercion, enslavement, or exploitation may occur without explicit, voluntary consent. This sovereignty extends to the freedom of choice, empowering individuals to make decisions regarding their health, education, religion, and lifestyle without external mandates. Service Providers, or any other entity, are prohibited from imposing interventions that violate these choices, ensuring that personal autonomy remains inviolable.
Property rights are fundamental, allowing individuals to acquire, use, and dispose of property freely, provided their actions do not harm others. No property may be seized without due process and fair compensation, safeguarding the fruits of individual labor. Freedom of expression guarantees the unrestricted right to speak, write, and share ideas, free from censorship or persecution for beliefs. Privacy is protected, with individuals shielded from unwarranted surveillance or data collection, and robust, transparent enforcement mechanisms address any violations.
Economic liberty empowers individuals to trade, contract, and innovate without restrictive regulations or monopolistic barriers. The freedom to use or create alternative currencies fosters economic resilience and creativity. The right to earn a living is protected from fees, taxes, or regulations that encumber this liberty. Self-defense, including the right to bear arms, ensures individuals can protect their life, liberty, and property, extending to the security of families and communities. Freedom of movement allows unrestricted travel, residence, or relocation globally, with no forced citizenship or allegiance. Access to knowledge is unrestricted, ensuring no entity monopolizes information or technology, thus preserving intellectual freedom.
Governance by Consent
This Social Contract establishes a decentralized governance model based on voluntary contracts and cooperatives, with power residing solely with individuals. No permanent centralized authority exists, and Service Providers—local or national—function as facilitators, not rulers. They deliver services such as infrastructure, arbitration, or community support on a pay-per-use basis, ensuring individuals only pay for services they choose. The right to exit any agreement or system is absolute, with no penalties for opting out, preserving individual freedom.
To prevent power consolidation, political entities, including parties, lobbyists, and political donations, are banned from influencing governance. Non-governmental organizations are similarly prohibited to ensure decisions remain constituent-driven. Representatives, tasked with proposing services, must consult constituents directly, and only constituents vote on each proposal, ensuring governance reflects the will of those affected. This direct democracy model makes constituent votes binding, with no delegated authority beyond proposals, maintaining accountability and transparency.
The anti-monopoly clause ensures no public or private entity dominates essential services, promoting competition and individual choice. Service Providers are prohibited from using private entities to bypass this contract’s principles, and all actions must align with the core rights of Sovereign Individuals. Governance processes are publicly auditable, leveraging decentralized systems like blockchain to ensure compliance and prevent corruption, reinforcing the commitment to transparency.
Legal Framework and Justice
The legal framework is grounded in Natural and Common Law, prioritizing individual rights and mutual respect. All statutory laws, often tools of centralized control, are abolished to protect sovereignty. Civil disputes are resolved through transparent, impartial arbitration, ensuring fairness. Criminal cases are adjudicated by a jury of peers, advised by a jurist, to uphold justice without bias. Accountability is universal—no public or private actor enjoys immunity, and all are equal under the law, fostering a just society.
Environmental and Social Harmony
Environmental responsibility is balanced with property rights, encouraging voluntary agreements to address ecological challenges like pollution or resource conservation. Coercive mandates are prohibited, ensuring solutions respect individual autonomy. Voluntary cooperation allows individuals to form associations for mutual benefit—economic, social, or cultural—without forced participation in collective systems. This balance promotes a society where individual freedom and collective well-being coexist harmoniously.
Constitutional Safeguards
This Social Contract is protected by direct democracy, amendability, and legal supremacy. Constituent votes on services are binding, ensuring governance reflects the people’s will. Amendments require majority consent via referendum, but no amendment may violate core rights. Any conflicting law or action is null and void, upholding the supremacy of individual liberty. Transparency is enforced through auditable processes, with decentralized systems ensuring compliance and accountability.
Term of the Contract
This Social Contract is binding for the lifetime of each signatory, reflecting a lifelong commitment to its principles of liberty, responsibility, and mutual respect. Sovereign Individuals who sign this contract agree to adhere to its terms indefinitely, ensuring consistency and integrity in the governance framework. For employees of Local or National Service Providers, this lifelong commitment is essential to their role in upholding the contract’s values. The lifelong term underscores the enduring nature of the society we seek to build, where freedom and sovereignty are not transient but foundational to every individual’s existence.
Mutual Responsibilities
While emphasizing individual rights, this contract recognizes responsibilities inherent to liberty. Sovereign Individuals commit to respecting others’ rights, refraining from actions that cause harm or infringe upon autonomy. Service Providers are obligated to deliver services transparently, efficiently, and accountably, aligning with this contract’s principles. Both parties pledge to foster a society where mutual respect and voluntary cooperation create a balance between individual freedom and collective harmony.
A Vision for Liberty
This Social Contract departs from historical governance models, which, as Henry Hazlitt observed, often arose from conquest rather than consent. It rejects coercive state structures and embraces governance as a voluntary partnership between Sovereign Individuals and accountable Service Providers. Rooted in self-ownership, liberty, and mutual respect, it lays the foundation for a society where individuals thrive, innovate, and pursue their unique paths without fear of centralized overreach.
The transition to this decentralized model presents challenges, particularly in dismantling entrenched systems. Yet, by starting locally, fostering voluntary cooperation, and building transparent systems, we can cultivate an alternative future that avoids centralized control or digital oppression. This contract is a living agreement, a seed for collective growth, evolving as we work toward a world where liberty is tangible.
Commitment to the Future
In entering this Social Contract, we, the Sovereign Individuals and Service Providers, pledge to uphold its principles, protect the rights of all, and build a future where freedom, responsibility, and mutual respect prevail. This contract is a blueprint for a society that honors individual sovereignty and ensures governance serves, not subjugates, the human spirit. By embracing this vision, we reject the shadows of coercion and chart a path toward a world where every individual is free to live, create, and thrive.
In the spirit of accountability, and at age 18 when deemed an adult, all Sovereign Individuals should sign The Social Contract. When they sign The Contract, their allegiance is to the Community, and not to the providers of Local or National Services.
In my next article, I’ll explain how the family is necessary to empower sovereign individuals.
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