The Constitution’s Contract Clause is the one individual liberty written into the original Constitution — and it’s the dividing line between citizens and serfs.

The Constitution’s Contract Clause (Article I, Section 10) is the only individual liberty written into the original U.S. Constitution — even before the Bill of Rights. In this video, Clifford Ribner explains why freedom of contract is not just a legal technicality, but the foundation of what makes someone a free citizen rather than a serf.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

What Is the Contract Clause — and Why It Matters

Most people know about freedom of speech and religion, but few realize that freedom of contract came first. Written directly into the Constitution, the Contract Clause prevents states from interfering with private agreements. That simple protection is what allowed early Americans to own property, build businesses, and pursue prosperity on their own terms.

Without it, you’re not in control of your own labor or livelihood — someone else is.

How the Founders Viewed Economic Freedom

Clifford unpacks the historical and philosophical foundation behind this clause. Drawing on John Locke’s ideas about “life, liberty, and property,” he shows how the Founders believed the right to contract freely was essential to individual liberty.

They knew that under systems like feudalism and serfdom, people had no such freedom. A serf couldn’t make binding contracts — they were tied to the land, to lords, and to the whims of power. In contrast, a free citizen could enter into agreements, own businesses, and determine their own economic future.

⚠️ How Bureaucracy Undermines This Right Today

Unfortunately, freedom of contract has been systematically eroded over time. Clifford explains how federal agencies now dictate the terms of relationships that used to be private:

• The Department of Labor sets conditions on employment contracts.

• Federal regulations burden small businesses and employers.

• Courts have weakened the original meaning of the Contract Clause.

Instead of protecting liberty, today’s government often acts as a gatekeeper, deciding what terms are “acceptable” — and punishing anyone who steps outside them.

The Legal Legacy — and Why It Still Matters

Clifford also highlights key legal battles that have shaped the meaning of contract rights in America — including Allgeyer v. Louisiana (1897), where the Supreme Court recognized freedom of contract as a fundamental liberty protected by the 14th Amendment.

The takeaway is clear: if government can tell you who you can hire, what terms you can agree to, or how you can run your business, then your freedom is conditional — not guaranteed.

Watch, Learn, and Share

If you care about freedom, this isn’t just an academic debate. Whether you’re an employee, a business owner, or someone who values personal liberty, your life is shaped by your ability to make binding agreements.

👉 Watch the full video to understand how this overlooked clause defines your freedom — and what’s at stake when it’s ignored

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