Natural Law

OSE follows principles of natural law - those governance principle derived from how things naturally work. Some of the principles come from biomimicry, and others come from emulating more abstract natural principles such as gravity or inertia.

Hear the first explicit discussion of natural law at the Victor Shamas podcast recording.

Some principles that we abide by are:

1. Distinguish between contract law and institutional law, allowing for over-riding of institutional law by private contract. This is the essential principle of contract law: 2 parties are free to enter any agreement they like, as long as it does not impinge upon the well-being of others. All private contracts should be respected, and the interference of institutional law shall be minimized. Institutional law is that which has indirectly been agreed upon, without direct consent of those governed. For example - a bill or law is an institutional law - some person 100 years down the line had nothing to do with the creation of that law, yet is subject to it.
2. Voluntary contract reigns supreme. Individuals should be able to opt in to any administrative law upon their will. Society should strive to create mechanisms whereby opt-in is possible. It should be recognized that anyone who does not explicitly agree to a social contract - is being coerced.
3. Social contracts shall be implicit and understood for inalienable rights. Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness are universal, understood, shared rights. For example, it is not legal or ethical to kill someone else within the rule of law.
4. There is in-law and out-law. In law - things are legal. But things can happen outside of law (not within the legal institution) that would be illegal if caught. The legal system should aim to internalize handling of things within law to maximize justice. For example, making lynching mobs not guilty should be corrected.