In the united states these rights are seen as given by a higher power and administered by the government. With the belief that if the government fails to administer them individuals may pursue them by other means

[–] gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 16 minutes ago* (last edited 14 minutes ago)

In the united states these rights are seen as given by a higher power and administered by the government. With the belief that if the government fails to administer them individuals may pursue them by other means

actually that's how it works in a lot of places. the government is just the organization that tries to realize the ideals that were already there in the population before the government existed. the government is just the one trying to make them real. if the government fails to do its job, somebody else does it instead.

there is literally a whole philosophy around the concept that the "state is the reality of the good idea", where "god" is often understood to be the set of "all good ideas". so, in other words, the state is seen as the reality of god. you can read literally antique philosophy about this; the view is that old. IIRC it was plato who discussed this, but i could be wrong. could have also been aristotle.

[–] MotoAsh@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Not legally and not by the founders of the country. Only religous morons think that.

Sadly, there are a lot of religous morons in the US...

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 1 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—-That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

– the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America

It's not the law, but it is from the founders' cassus belli. Also in there is this

He has endeavoured to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither, and raising the Conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the Tenure of their Offices, and the Amount and Payment of their Salaries.

He has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harrass our People, and eat out their Substance.

He has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a Jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our Laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us, in many Cases, of the Benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended Offences: