Design - Contract

Citizens of the UK have rights and responsibilities. Visitors to the UK have modified rights and responsibilities. The government also has responsibilities.

In general, citizens are equal in their rights to freedom of, and from injury to, their body, thought, communication, action, and possession. Rights must not be used to deny others of their rights. Rights may be granted or removed based on constraints created by government.

Citizens must familiarise themselves with the most commonly used and misused rights. They must inform government agents as soon as practically possible where they know that a right has been misused.

The government must be able to demonstrate that all of its constraints are designed to improve equality or benefit all citizens.

Body rights

Freedom of body is the right not to be imprisoned or limited from movement in or to public places. Freedom from injury to body includes freedom from torture and other physical abuse. A very common constraint the government can apply is the imprisonment of people who misuse their rights, such as to steal.

Thought rights

Freedom of thought includes the right to learn, believe, and mentally explore whatever one wants. Freedom from injury to thought includes the right not to suffer mental torture or indoctrination. There are no legitimate constraints government may apply to thought. Once thoughts are externalised, such as in communication or action, constraints may be applied.

Communication rights

Freedom of communication includes any medium such as speech, writing, music, and song. It also includes the methods of delivering that communication such as on paper, by telephone, and via computer. Freedom from injury to communication includes the right to have one's communication not be deleted, changed, or removed. Government may constrain communication, by for example denying the right to express an opinion which is intended or likely to incite constrained action, such as theft or violence.

Action rights

Freedom of action may be constrained by government where it denies the rights of others or is intended or likely to incite other to deny rights. Freedom from injury to action allows citizens to act in the way they intend, without modification.

Possession rights

The right to freedom from injury to possession includes the right not to have one's property or money damaged or stolen. One very common constraint that the government will apply to possessions is taxation.