On the record
A power that can, of itself, and by its own authority, punish disobedience, can compel obedience and submission, and is above all responsibility for the character of its laws.
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “A power that can, of itself, and by its own authority, punish disobedience, can compel obedience and submission, and is…”
Editor's note · Context
He argues that a power capable of punishing disobedience is inherently above accountability.
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More from Lysander Spooner
They do not carry their heads high, above all other men, and demand our reverence and admiration, as statesmen, patriots, and benefactors.
For all these reasons, they are not only modest and sensible, but really frank, honest, and honorable villains, contrasted with these courts of injustice, and the lawmakers by whom these courts are established.
In short, they acknowledge themselves hostes humani generis: enemies of the human race.
They do not tell us that we are the freest and happiest people on earth, inasmuch as each of our male adults is allowed one voice in ten millions in the choice of the men, who are to rob, enslave, and murder us.