Evolving the Social Contract for the Sovereign Individual

WAIT’s manifesto takes inspiration from the age-old struggle to balance the interests of society with the inherent rights of the individual. John Adams’s vision of a "government of laws, not of men" laid the groundwork for rule of law as a key principle in democratic governance, where no individual could stand above the law. Yet, this approach—once revolutionary—has become inadequate to protect individual autonomy in the face of increasingly technocratic, globalized forces that seek to centralize power.

Now, WAIT proposes a necessary evolution of this concept: a shift from merely governments of laws to peoples of laws—where the focus rests on the sovereignty of the individual over any government or collective entity. This idea, rooted in the principles of the Declaration of Independence, emphasizes that the "laws of nature and of nature’s God" are the true universal limits on human governance. In other words, the rights and dignity of individuals, as bestowed by natural law, must be the ultimate foundation of any social or legal structure.

Human Beings First, Citizens Second

One of the manifesto's most crucial points is that we are human beings first and citizens second. This distinction is significant because it challenges the increasingly common narrative that citizenship and its obligations precede fundamental human rights. It also cautions against the growing collectivist trend that insists the community should come before the individual. The manifesto argues that robust individual rights strengthen communities, rather than weaken them. A society where individual sovereignty is recognized and protected is one where citizens are empowered to contribute fully to the common good, without fear of suppression or coercion.

The Sovereign Individual as the Highest Unit of Value

At the heart of WAIT’s vision lies the recognition of the sovereign individual as the highest unit of value. This concept implies that every person holds intrinsic, unalienable rights that must be protected from the encroachment of both governments and communities. Such rights are not granted by institutions—they are innate to the human condition, deriving from "the laws of nature and of nature’s God."

This recognition would revitalize liberal Western principles of enlightenment, which emphasize liberty, equality, and individual dignity. WAIT argues that reaffirming these principles is key to addressing the flaws in modern democracies, which have become increasingly susceptible to overreach by centralized authorities, technocracies, and global governance structures.

Keeping the Separation of Powers Independent

Finally, the manifesto rightly emphasizes the importance of maintaining an independent separation of powers, with a key focus on protecting individuals from the latent tyranny that can arise from communities and their executive structures. Modern democracies face an inherent risk: the tendency for the state or collective to overpower individual rights, particularly in times of crisis or social upheaval.

By grounding power in the sovereignty of the individual and ensuring an impartial system of law that protects against tyranny, societies can foster a more genuine form of democracy—one that respects the individual while facilitating collective welfare.

In conclusion, WAIT’s manifesto represents a call to action for a more balanced social contract, one that resists the modern trend toward centralization and neo-collectivism. It seeks to restore the rightful place of the individual within the political order, advocating for laws that serve humanity rather than subjugating it to the whims of technocratic or bureaucratic authorities. This vision not only builds upon the best elements of the Enlightenment but also adapts them to the pressing challenges of the 21st century.

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