Nithavela
our world is happy and mundane
- Apr 14, 2007
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serfs, not surfsThere is an interesting point made from a documentary I watched. I believe it was on the English Monarchy its laws, and it heritage, and how that became part of American law, culture etc. People tend to trace Democracy from the Greek heritage, but the Germanic heritage actually influenced the development of rights and democracy too in England as well. (Which actually kind of was one of those little tid bits I noticed watching the TV show Vikings but I'm getting ahead of myself).
Anyway from the Germanic heritage came the ability to vote, but that came from bearing arms. You had a say in how things went because you would fight for the chieftain, King of whoever. And not only that, that was one way they taxed you, they often required you to spend so much time in military service etc.
But that sort of thing has been true in other cultures as well. But the other point to that is that being armed is one major distinction that differentiates free people from slaves and surfs, throughout the World and history. Basically if you go around the World you will almost always find that conquered people, enslaved people are disarmed by the ruling party so they will be helpless and complaint.
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