Slavery

[Perseus]

So VT, what would your opinion be if we legalized debt slavery like there was in classical times (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_times). Now, this is not forced slavery. Just pure optional. I think we should legalize it. It's not amoral to sell yourself into slavery. Of course if we were to have this, there'd have to be rules and regulation, otherwise it wouldn't be the best thing since people would do whatever they want. So VT, thoughts?

[Bluesman]

Interesting idea... from what I can see you're talking more about indentured servants. Working as a slave to pay off a debt. If someone really wants to do that, go for it. I'm not really sure if it's even illegal...

[Peace God]

It's not amoral to sell yourself into slavery.
Is it even slavery if you sell yourself into slavery? :huh:

[Perseus]

Is it even slavery if you sell yourself into slavery? :huh:

You're not being paid for the work you're doing. A slave is someone who is personal property of another and is forced to work for them.

[Peace God]

...forced to work for them.
But they're volunteering.

Edit: Also,...

Of course if we were to have this, there'd have to be rules and regulations...
This leaves a HUGE grey area.

[Perseus]

But they're volunteering.

Edit: Also,...


This leaves a HUGE grey area.

How so?

[Amnesiac]

An interesting and controversial idea. Never really thought about it before. Since I'm a big supporter of individual rights, I would support this idea, but as mentioned above, there's a huge grey area concerning regulating such things.

[Peace God]

How so?
"Rules and regulations"

I have to go right now, but I'll say that I think you did make a good point, however I strongly believe that if this were really implemented, it would lead to the emergence of families and whole communities being born into slavery. (or a lifestyle that would lead to slavery)

[Perseus]

"Rules and regulations"

I have to go right now, but I'll say that I think you did make a good point, however I strongly believe that if this were really implemented, it would lead to the emergence of families and whole communities being born into slavery. (or a lifestyle that would lead to slavery)

Good point - I never thought of that. Though, I'm sure you could have it where slaves can't have sex, etc.

[Amnesiac]

Good point - I never thought of that. Though, I'm sure you could have it where slaves can't have sex, etc.

The problem is that it's not easy regulating things like voluntary slavery. If someone's controlled by someone else, then their 'master' can always prevent them from reporting illegal activities. It almost seems like an invitation for weird shit like rape and BSDM.

[Perseus]

The problem is that it's not easy regulating things like voluntary slavery. If someone's controlled by someone else, then their 'master' can always prevent them from reporting illegal activities. It almost seems like an invitation for weird shit like rape and BSDM.

But that's going to be amok. With everything you have bugs in the system.

[Peace God]

The problem is that it's not easy regulating things like voluntary slavery. If someone's controlled by someone else, then their 'master' can always prevent them from reporting illegal activities. It almost seems like an invitation for weird shit like rape and BSDM.
Not to mention you'll have people complaining...
"I paid a pretty penny for this slave! How dare that big darn government tell me what to do with mah property."

[Amnesiac]

But that's going to be amok. With everything you have bugs in the system.

I know, but there's the chance these 'bugs' could be much more prevalent and harmful than what you'd find in other systems. Not saying that it will be, but the opportunity for corruption here is pretty ripe.

Not to mention you'll have people complaining...
"I paid a pretty penny for this slave! How dare that big darn government tell me what to do with mah property."

Actually, this implies that people can even be considered property. I'm not sure if there's a law specifically against that. I know the 13th amendment is against involuntary slavery specifically, so that doesn't apply here.

[huginnmuninn]

can you explain your idea in more detail please

[Perseus]

can you explain your idea in more detail please

Debt slavery. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt_slavery)

[Sebastian Michaelis]

i think it should be legalized

[huginnmuninn]

i dont see any problem with it

[Perseus]

i think it should be legalized

i dont see any problem with it

I'm so glad you two contributed so much to this thread.

[The Dark Lord]

My biggest problem would that there would be people forced into slavery against their will as repayments. But then this already happens to a certain extent anyway. I also think it is morally wrong to enslave people and even with extensive laws and regulations the system would be abused. It would also be a further excuse to ignore people's basic human rights in countries such as China.

[Modus Operandi]

As has already been mentioned, there are simply too many possible bugs in the system for it to work properly. It's a double-edged sword: not enough regulation, and it gets abused. Too much regulation, and it defeats the purpose of such a system anyway.

Also, I think the overall social stigma would simply be too great to overcome in this case. Think about how many blacks still take overt offense to any discussion even remotely relating to slavery. How would this be reacted to, other than a total shitstorm? As interesting an idea as the whole thing is, it's a bit of an implausible pipedream.

[Azunite]

Debt bondage is a good idea but it is a no-go since it is a violation of Human Rights, you can't take someone's freedom.

Other than that, nobody would want to be a slave anyway. Nobody would give up their freedom, even if it is about not giving money.

People would take advantages of this system and slowly it would turn into the slavery that was in the old times, harsh laboring. After some time people would accept slavery just as something normal and you'd have slaves everywhere

[Sogeking]

Why would you want to reverse 150+ years of progressivism to go back to the old times?

I agree with everyone else, the system would be abused, violation of human rights, children born into slavery to pay off there parents debts etc.. Too many holes in the system. So no, I don't think it should be legalized

[Sage]

MjL0011ORb4

[Perseus]

Why would you want to reverse 150+ years of progressivism to go back to the old times?

I agree with everyone else, the system would be abused, violation of human rights, children born into slavery to pay off there parents debts etc.. Too many holes in the system. So no, I don't think it should be legalized

Debt slavery is different than forced slavery. If you willingly do it to pay off a debt, I don't see why this is bad. Everyone here has this stigma that they'd abused, etc. With rules and regulations comes checking. People could come and check to make sure there isn't any abuse. I'm not saying there won't. It'd cut down on it. And plus, there wouldn't be abuse in the same sense as with forced slavery since you sold yourself and the person wouldn't feel the need to just beat them because they'd most likely do what they have to so they can be free again. Of course this thread has swayed my views on this. :P

[Sith Lord 13]

children born into slavery to pay off there parents debts etc..

First and foremost, the children wouldn't be born into slavery under this system. Their parents' indentured servitude would have no bearing on them.

I'll be back with my specific ideas at some point, but I just wanted to point that out.

[ShaneK]

I don't know shit, but havin spent almost all ma life as a slave (physical and sexual), it ain't a gud idea. it wud b open ta to much abuse. wat ya think da junkies will do for a hit and yes dat wud happen wid dat.

Society wud end up wit 2 classes of peeps most likely those who are slaves an those who are masters. tis jus human nature to take advantage of other people when their vulnerable such as in debt