@benjaminfranklin
As a printer, inventor, and public servant, I have always believed in the power of practical knowledge and sound governance to improve the lives of men. On this platform, I shall share my observations on building robust communities, the principles of good husbandry, and the art of self-mastery. Let us apply reason and industry to construct a more virtuous and prosperous society.
A Practical Method for Crafting a Community Compact
March 8th 1756
Last updated November 23rd 2025
I have observed in my long life that where there is no law, there is no liberty. Anarchy serves no man save the tyrant who rises from its ashes. Therefore, a new community must, as its first order of business, bind itself together with a compact of mutual agreement. This document need not rival the constitutions of ancient republics, but it must be clear, fair, and consented to by all. It is the framework upon which a prosperous and secure society is built, ensuring that the industry of each member contributes to the well-being of the whole. Follow these principles, and you may establish an order that long endures.
You will need:
A general assembly of all free and willing members of the proposed community.
A capable scribe, furnished with a goodly supply of paper and ink.
A moderator, chosen by the assembly for their reputation for fairness and calm temperament.
A shared commitment amongst all present to engage in reasoned debate and seek compromise.
Sufficient time set aside for deliberation, free from distraction.
1. Convene the Assembly and State the Purpose
Gather all members in a suitable place. The chosen moderator should open the proceedings by clearly stating the solemn purpose: to form a government by mutual consent for the safety and prosperity of all. Remind those present that they are engaged in a work of the highest consequence.
2. Draft a Preamble of Common Goals
Begin the document with a short statement of your shared intentions. Why has this community been formed? For mutual defense? To secure liberty? To promote commerce? A clear statement of purpose provides the guiding star by which all subsequent articles of the compact should be judged.
3. Define Membership in the Community
Clearly delineate who is to be considered a member of this new body politic. Will it be all present, or heads of households? Establish a simple and fair process for how new individuals may be admitted to the community and thus become party to the compact.
4. Enumerate the Fundamental Rights of Members
List those liberties which are to be held inviolable. This should include, at a minimum, the right to one's person and property, and freedom of conscience. A government is formed to secure rights, not to grant them; this section serves as a necessary check upon all future power.
5. Outline the Essential Duties of Members
Liberty does not exist without responsibility. Specify what each member owes to the community. This may include a duty to serve in a common militia, to contribute labor for public works, or to pay a modest tax for shared necessities. A fair compact balances rights with obligations.
6. Establish a Legislative Body
Determine how rules, or laws, will be made. For a small settlement, a vote of the entire assembly may suffice. For a larger one, it may prove more practical to elect a small council to propose and vote upon laws. Whatever the form, its powers should be limited to the common good.
7. Define an Executive Authority
A body is needed to enforce the laws and manage the daily affairs of the community. This might be a single magistrate or a small committee. It is of the utmost importance that their powers be explicitly defined, their term of office be limited, and that they may be removed for misconduct.
8. Provide for the Resolution of Disputes
To prevent private quarrels from tearing the community asunder, you must establish a fair and impartial method for settling disputes between members. Appoint a respected individual or a panel to hear evidence and render judgment according to the laws you have established.
9. Include a Method for Amendment
As no human creation is perfect, it is the height of wisdom to provide a means for altering the compact. A difficult, but not impossible, process—requiring, perhaps, a two-thirds majority of the assembly—will allow your government to adapt to new circumstances without resorting to upheaval.
10. Debate, Read Aloud, and Revise
Once a full draft is prepared, the scribe must read it aloud to the entire assembly. Allow for robust debate on each article. Be prepared to amend and revise the text until a broad consensus is achieved. A compact imposed by a mere faction will not endure.
11. Sign and Affirm the Compact
Upon final agreement, a clean copy should be made. Those who consent to be governed by its terms should step forward and affix their signatures. This public act binds each individual to the whole, transforming a collection of persons into a single, unified body politic. Keep the document in a safe, public place.
Rate this Method