Aren't rules and regulations determined by the lowest denominator in a society? More hardened the criminals, tougher the laws. When rules are framed, the determinants are the possible offenders!
Rules are tightened so that the worst offender doesn't get away. Ironically, the law abiding people pay a heavy price, adjusting their lives to rules that have been indirectly dictated by the criminals.
We've railway level cross gates because society has crazy people who would attempt to cross the track when a train is approaching. We've most inconvenient speed breakers, because of a few reckless drivers. Security at public places are ridiculously tight, often casting suspicion on people who are very much law abiding.
So can we say how good or bad a society is, is indicated by the type of rules it has for its people? Rules are rarely relaxed, they are mostly tightened.
Is that a good sign? As we progress rules should get relaxed, is it not?
not necessarily. crime in the US is not any lower (yes, there is a higher value for life) even though there are not many level crossings.
ReplyDeleteGun related crimes here are the highest, but there is no gun control.It is all a question of awareness and the realisation that enforcement can catch up with you -which is the deterrent. In other words, if we have a tough and honest police force criminals will know that they cant get away easily. That will be beteer than physical controls like speed breakers.
True. The definition of progress and civilization should be how much less rules we should have. Having more and more rules and making people behave just like machines cannot bring in applauses for progress. We should have less and less rules and people should learn more and more of their own responsibilities. Unfortunately progress these days is busy defining your rights.
ReplyDeleteTougher law enforcements can bring in apparent peace, but not always. The bad elements of society will just wait for the right opp. And remember that the cost of maintaining a tougher enforcement is too high too.