I think it’s best if we start with a couple of definitions, don’t you?
LEGISLATE
“to make laws”
HUMAN CONDITION
“The characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality.”
With that out of the way we can begin.
I want to assure you that this is not an academic paper (as clearly, I am not an academic!) This is merely a discussion between you and I to understand whether laws have any place in an evolved society.
‘Of course they do’ says you. ‘Without laws, there would be chaos, murder, exploitation, crime, there would be violence on the streets, kidnapping; drugs would be rife, people would be shooting and stabbing each other, children wouldn’t be safe from abuse; there would be sexual slavery, extorsion,corruption, pollution, waste, unsafe working conditions, people working for unscrupulous employers,people would be unable to feed and clothe their children; people would be forced to live on the streets, officals would abuse their positions of power, banks would charge exorbitante rates of interest…”
Much like it is today, I reply.
So have laws changed anything?
In a democratic, fair society, I can see why those in power, representing their ‘constituents,’ think that enacting laws will create a better world for all, but it’s not working, is it?
Today, in the King’s speech (in England) the King outlined the government’s plans for new legislation on increasing prison sentences for the worst murders, increased police access to personal data, a new law preventing certain prisoners from marrying, a phased ban on smoking,..blah blah blah!
I don’t know anyone in parliament, and I don’t know their motivations for introducing new bills, but with tens of thousands of laws on the statute books, it is clear that the main concern for parliamentarians is to stop people doing certain things, deemed ‘unacceptable’ by those in power.
Of course, it depends where you live, whether or not it is illegal to cross the road when the light isn’t green, or whether you go to jail for criticising the government, or not wearing approved clothing!
Depending on the people in power, you may also be executed (murdered) for pretty much anything that takes their fancy! Remember, laws can be changed on a whim!
Just becuase it is law doesn’t mean it is right, or in anyone’s best interest apart from those who make the law!
The Ariana Philosophical Party
MANIFESTO definition
noun
A public declaration of principles, policies, or intentions, especially of a political nature.
A public declaration, as of a sovereign or government, or of any person or body of persons, making known certain intentions, or proclaiming certain opinions and motives in reference to some act or course of conduct done or contemplated; in general, a proclamation.
A public declaration, usually of a prince, sovereign, or other person claiming large powers, showing his intentions, or proclaiming his opinions and motives in reference to some act done or contemplated by him
Imagine, for moment that I decide to set up a political party for the benefit of all, to create a more evolved human society, to help us transcend violence, and greed and I publish a manifesto which states that the ariana party (should we form a government) will enact laws which prohibit
VIOLENCE
INEQUALITY
ANIMAL AND HUMAN ABUSE
WEAPONS AND ARMED FORCES
TAXATION
BANKS
FISHING
OIL EXPORATION
What would happen?
Well, for the people that vote for us, there would be great jubilation!
But for those who didn’t , there would be an outrage! Especially if you worked in banking, or were a soldier, or a farmer!
For the statements about violence, those who are violent would continue to be violent. For the statements about abuse, those who are abusers would continue to abuse!
Do you see?
Enacting laws is merely a threat of punishment if you transgress these laws! But if you have no fear of punishment, what use are the laws?
Those amongst us who do not understand right action, and right conduct, or who have no care about doing the right thing by their neighbour are not affected by law!
In the United States there are 2,331 inmates (humans) on death row according to wikipedia. That’s a lot of people, folks!
These people will (if their sentence isn’t commuted, or new evidence finds their conviction unsafe), be murdered by their own government, by means such as lethal injection, or even the electric chair.
In other countries you may be shot, hanged or stoned to death!
All of these ‘punishments’ are enacted by ‘law’ so that makes it OK doesn’t it? If you break the law , expect to be punished!
But how does all this punishment expect to help us evolve as a species?
It doesn’t.
It just seeks to control humans, without any undertanding of what is compelling people (fellow humans) to take actions without any regard to consequences.
Whether The Ariana Philosophical Party is in power, the communists, the army, the conservatives, the republicans, the fascists… it’s all about power, and forcing people to conform to your ideals is not going to help us evolve!
So no, we will not be setting up a political party, and you shouldn’t be setting up, or supporting parties, unless they are dance parties!
Only by humans understanding themsleves, the movement of their minds, and why they think and act the way they do, will we ever hope to create an evolved, advanced society.
So, the next time, there is an election in your country, I urge you to vote for ‘NONE OF THE ABOVE’.
Humans are a unique species, and control of them through laws and political parties help no one, except those those in power.
