Yesterday, Chris “Muesli” asked an interesting question that I thought can be a good blog post. If we were in power, what rules would be write?

You are to be born in 24 hours. You are also to write all the rules that will govern the society in which you will live. However, you do not know if you will be born bright or retarded, black or white, male or female, rich or poor, able or disabled.

How would you write the rules?

muesli

I would make slavery, in any way (forced labor, child labor, child soldiers, …), illegal. Equality between people and justice for all would be my first rule. I would free all people around the world who are imprisoned because of their belief.

I would limit police and enforcement officers, and give people power to defend themselves from their rights being violated. I also would make military activity illegal. No more war, except when people must protect themselves or need to help those in need.

I would make governments as people’s servants, not a tool to rule them. I would make execution illegal except for very sensitive and important matters that are really needed. I would make fascism in illegal in any way.

I would make privacy laws very strict. I would make spying strictly illegal. I would rule companies to stop collecting personal information of people and purge all data they stored.

About software, I wouldn’t force companies to publish their software free (as in freedom). However, I would force schools and universities to teach people about their digital rights. And no public/government organization can use proprietary software and/or have contracts with private corporations.

What would you do if you got to rule people?