Are We Wage Slaves? A Look at Modern Economic Freedom

The term 'wage slave' is often thrown around casually, and while it can evoke feelings of despair and oppression, its literal meaning is quite different. In a free society, individuals have the freedom to choose their path, including the job they wish to pursue, provided they have the legal power to do so.

Defining Wage Slavery and Freedom of Choice

Slavery, as defined by historical standards, refers to a condition where an individual is not free to escape a situation. In the context of wage slavery, the term makes sense only in situations where an individual cannot voluntarily leave their employment. This is often the case in fully socialist countries, where alternative means of earning a livelihood are prohibited, or in societies where women are prevented from leaving a marriage without severe consequences.

Current Realities and Examples

However, in the modern world, the vast majority of individuals are free to change their employment. For instance, I can choose to leave my current job if needed. Conversely, there are genuine forms of slavery, like the Yazidi women on the Iraq-Syria border who are not free to leave.

Contemporary Forms of Economic Exploitation

The term 'wage slavery' takes on a new dimension when individuals are unable to freely walk away from their jobs due to various factors. One significant issue is tax policies. For instance, tax systems that tie economic freedom to a country's citizenship can present a form of economic entrapment.

Consider the United States, where citizens are subject to citizenship-based taxation. This means that US citizens must declare and pay taxes, regardless of where they live in the world. This practice is somewhat unique and is only paralleled by one other country, an African dictatorship called Eritrea. This system is not just an infringement of economic freedom but also a violation of human rights.

Legal and Economic Violations

Several US laws and regulations have further tightened the grip on economic freedom. Laws such as the Foreign Bank Account Reporting Act (FBAR), the 1996 Revenue Reconciliation Act, the Heart Act of 2008, and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) of 2012, among others, have been seen as extreme and substantial violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These measures do not just infringe on one or two rights but nearly every single one of them.

For instance, the FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) was designed to track individuals worldwide, even if they move to another country or try to evade taxes. This act has caused significant distress among US citizens who wish to live abroad. It suggests that US citizens are not entirely free to leave the country and must continue to pay taxes, even if they do not benefit from US services.

Conclusion: Tax Slavery and Economic Freedom

The US tax code and FATCA effectively create a form of economic slavery. These measures are not about fair taxation but about capital retention and a sense of economic ownership. If one cannot freely leave a tax regime, they are being treated as a slave to the system. This is a stark reminder of the importance of economic freedom and the need for governments to respect the rights of their citizens.

In conclusion, while we might call ourselves wage slaves metaphorically, the realities of modern economic freedom make the term less applicable. Instead, we face an intricate system of economic and legal constraints that can feel oppressive but are not the same as historical forms of slavery. Understanding and addressing these issues is crucial for preserving true economic freedom.