Voluntary Servitude

"These wall are funny. First you hate 'em. Then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, you get so depend on them. That's institutionalized."
--Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding (Shawshank Redemption)

In a recent post, we prefaced a decision analysis with the assumption that people prefer freedom over slavery. At first glance such an assumption seems obvious and hardly worth mentioning. But it is possible that some people might prefer conditions that resemble slavery--i.e., conditions that require working for the benefit of someone else without receiving 'market value' benefits in return.

Preference for such a condition cannot be deemed slavery, however, since individuals seek it out on their own volition. Instead, the condition is one of voluntary servitude. What would cause people to prefer voluntary servitude?

We must assume that people who prefer voluntary servitude must not view the situation as asymmetrically as it appears. What seems a lopsided trade, i.e., much required work for little compensation, is actually viewed as a fair exchange through the eyes of the servant.

In fact, the trade may not be lopsided at all. Instead, contractual agreement may stipulate work to be done before or after the compensation. In loan agreements, for example, people often borrow resources from lenders in exchange for a promise to pay back what is owed in the future. Borrowers typically repay their loans out of future production. The borrower is compensated upfront, and then enters a condition of voluntary servitude to work for the lender in order to meet the terms of the contract.

Contractual situations where work and compensation are out of phase are not limited to today's debt-laden world. Historically, people have often been willing to work for others in exchange for security and protection as needed. In religious contexts, people who choose to be 'servants of the Lord' can be seen as exchanging production today for the Ultimate Benefit tomorrow.

Conditions of voluntary servitude may also arise in non-contractual situations. People may feel that they 'owe' others for past actions although no formal agreement was struck. Perceptions of indebtedness may stem from positive actions done by others on the debtor's behalf. For example, children may feel indebted to parents for a positive upbringing and endeavor to pay their parents back by serving them as they age.

Perceptions of indebtedness may also stem from negative actions done by the debtor to others. For instance, people may feel guilty about 'taking advantage' of others at some point in the past. In order to purge those feelings of guilt, debtors decide to work on behalf of those who have been wronged.

It is also possible that some people simply like being controlled by others. They fear or dislike freedom, and prefer situations where they are told what to do.

Finally, it is possible that some people may enter into conditions of voluntary servitude if they think that others will join them in a state of 'shared sacrifice.' They like the idea that all are giving freedom up for what is perceived to be the benefit of the collective. Alone, people may be reluctant to engage in a lopsided trade of much required work for little benefit. But if others do the same, then there is a sense that all are feeling the pain together.

It is unlikely, however, that all people will be willing to engage in shared sacrifice. This may upset some to the point where they will attempt to force dissenters into compliance.

Stated differently, some will be tempted to enslave others.