What if the freedoms we believe we hold aren’t truly ours—but conditional permissions granted by systems that don’t have our best interests at heart? We’re taught from a young age to respect legal systems, political institutions, and hierarchical structures—but rarely are we encouraged to question their origins or whether they serve us fairly. The idea of “inherent power” challenges this: it suggests that each person has an inborn, natural authority over their own life, grounded not in laws or religious texts, but in mutual respect, reason, and responsibility. The concept is simple, even if its implications are radical: you don’t need permission to be free. You need to understand how deeply interconnected all life is, and how true freedom comes with a reciprocal duty not to harm others. This doesn’t mean chaos or lawlessness—it means creating systems of accountability that are built on direct harm (torts) and mutual relief, rather than abstract rules and hierarchical control. Ask yourself: Do current systems serve justice—or just power? Does punishment prevent harm—or perpetuate it? Can a person truly be free if they’re always under someone else's authority?