birth of liberty, 800 years ago in Britain.

[Blind groper]

http://m.tvnz.co.nz/news/world/6339494

Some Merkins like to think they brought in the birth of human liberty. Not so. The beginnings of the freedoms we enjoy today were with Magna Carta in Britain, and especially with the habeas corpus principle, which prevented the king or other authorities taking control of individuals as 'punishment' without charge or trial.

Further human liberties grew from that most important beginning, and spread to other nations. But it all began in Britain 800 years ago.

[pErvinalia]

God existed before then. And God created and favours Merka. Therefore Merka > Magna Carta

[cronus]

Magna Carta. Got one of them down the road from here. That's where you got your one per cent having the law and the poor man being happy with his ever decreasing lot. Always read the small print.

[cronus]

Magna Carta. Got one of them down the road from here. Excellent pub. That's where you got your one per cent having the law and the poor man being happy with his ever decreasing lot. Always read the small print.

[Hermit]

The Magna Carta was not about liberty as we think of it today. It was the result of a power struggle between a monarch and other nobles. The masses were not affected by notions of liberty for another half of a millennium. Habeas Corpus did not apply to them. And women had to wait another two centuries and more to get equal rights.

[DaveDodo007]

It was important from a law perspective but the bubonic plague did more to free the serfs than any bit of paper. A shortage of labour and you can start demanding better treatment and pay.

[Svartalf]

The magna carta still mostly is a medieval peice of legislation and little of it is of any relevance nowadays.

[cronus]

The magna carta still mostly is a medieval peice of legislation and little of it is of any relevance nowadays.

Sounds good when you say it. That's what counts.

[cronus]

The magna carta still mostly is a medieval peice of legislation and little of it is of any relevance nowadays.

Sounds good when you say it. That's what counts.

[Blind groper]

Nevertheless, the Magna Carta and Habeas Corpus was the BEGINNING of the modern idea of personal liberty. Before that, the kings power was absolute. Magna Carta put limits on the king's power.

From that time, 800 years ago, a slow evolution began, leading to democracy and freedom. Most of that evolution was led by Britain. By the time the USA had its war of rebellion, the basic principles of democracy and personal liberty were established.

I was doing a bit of reading about that. Interested to see that when the USA rebelled, the Brits came in and kicked their asses, left, right and centre. It was only after France declared war on Britain and sent troops to America to support the rebels that things turned in favor of the rebels.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

[Brian Peacock]

"Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain? Brave Hungarian peasant girl..."
-- Tony Hancock.

[laklak]

My father in law's nickname is "Magna Farter". It's an apt moniker.

[klr]

"... in 1215 at Runnymede, do-dah, do-dah" - Lisa Simpson.

Yes, it set down some important principles, but they didn't extend beyond the nobility, as has been pointed out. As I recall, any attempts at socialist revolution back in those days usually ended very messily. Still, you've got to start somewhere.

[JimC]

This early defeat for absolute royal power in England was a blessing in disguise for the future of the British monarchy. It allowed a gradual relinquishment of political power, while still maintaining much wealth and prestige.

In contrast, the French royals had no safety valve on the pressure cooker, and ended up with an appointment with the guillotine...

"Le state, c'est moi" is a dangerous thing to say...