Unfortunately, there is no such thing as "inalienable rights". They can always be "taken away" by someone who doesn't respect them, and has the power to suspend them.

There is no system capable of preventing them from being taken, by force. There are no natural laws preventing their abuse. We simply have to all agree not to abuse them. That's our only protection.

[–] Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 3 points 1 week ago

There is, actually. It's a seemingly obscene option.

In the 20th century, we called it Mutually Assured Destruction.

In the 18th century, it was known by a more patriotic aphorism: "Give me liberty, or give me death".

Society stops being repressive when everyone goes about their day with a claymore strapped to their chest. Everyone gets real polite, real fast. Everyone starts turning the other cheek, right up until someone gets overly frustrated, or someone else pushes their luck just a little too far.

Short of that, the solution is not an external system, but an internalized, yet shared philosophy.

One thing is certain: it won't come from polarized politics.

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