The Rule of Law — Letter #1
Dear Francisco,
Hope to find you well!
After a few letters focusing on the Natural/Unnatural dichotomy, I believe it’s time for a fresh start… (It’s always good to start new endeavors!)
This time, I write you about something that I thought of on the other day…
Why do we live in a State based on the “Rule of Law”?
The easy, straightforward answer to this question is simple: it’s a way to respect everyone’s rights and duties and to protect society from tyrants. The easiest answer would be: because it’s the best option, you fool!
Now…
I would not like to focus this on the lack of success that many State-Nations face nowadays on the implementation of the so-called “Rule of Law”. That’s a matter for Politics, not Philosophy.
But I would rather like to focus this discussion on the following:
- What reasons are behind this apotheosis of Laws and Regulations and Rules that we all shall live under?
- What impact does it have on our daily lives, on organizations and on progress?
- Is this really the best solution for us to live in Society?
- Why is it we don’t live under a “Rule of Science”? Or “Rule of Engineering”? Or “Rule of Markets”?
It’s a lot of questions, and some are independent from the others, but this theme seems very interesting to me… Specially, because no one questions it! And the reason behind it — I believe — is because we’ve been focusing on Power all the time…
And as — the experts say — there are two kinds of Power (the sword and the pen), it looks like we tend to prefer the second over the first…
But aren’t there any more options? Or to put it in other words? Is this a matter of Power or should it be something else?
Please, feel free to add more questions to the list, before we start. Or just tell me: hey, what a foolish, confusing theme!
Looking forward to hearing back from you.
All the best,
Ricardo
