@novak

If you cannot leave a place, you're not free. I’ve been thinking about good people who happen to have been born into oppressive regimes. How are they supposed to build a better life? Finding a new country to make home sounds great. But how? The more oppressive a govt, the less likely it is that you’re able to leave. Yemen, Syrian, and Afghani passports aren’t accepted in most places. Eritrea requires an exit visa. Women in Iran also need permission from their husbands. North Koreans are effectively banned from leaving entirely. Are people there just locked into authoritarian regimes forever? Some of the most consequential changes to society have come from giving people the ability to leave. Feudal serfdom tied people to land as indentured servants. Slavery kept people in horrific conditions without escape. The abolition of both systems creates more freedom and prosperity. The next global milestone for personal freedoms is to give people the “right to exit” their government

0 reply

1 recast

3 reactions