Laws and rules are essential threads that weave the fabric of social order, prosperity, and honesty. They provide the structure ensuring justice and guiding individuals and communities toward collective well-being. However, today’s rampant corruption, greed, and malpractice epidemic have spread widely, leading to lawlessness in various parts of the globe.
This article explores the extensive implications of a world without law, shedding light on how diverse groups, ranging from the marginalized poor to the influential businessmen, would grapple with the profound consequences. It becomes apparent that laws are not mere constraints but crucial safeguards that uphold justice and protect the integrity of our shared human experience. Here, we examine the impact of lawlessness on various groups in modern society.
Marginalized Communities
In the United States, the systemic issue of lawlessness has deeply embedded itself within societal structures, particularly affecting marginalized communities. Movements have arisen to combat this injustice, with Los Angeles serving as a stark example. An in-depth analysis of LAPD arrests from 2019 to 2022 exposes a troubling reality: Black and Hispanic/Latino communities, constituting 56% of the population, endure approximately 78% of all arrests. This stark racial disparity underscores the intersectionality of targeting, intertwining race and socioeconomic status within the complexities of systemic issues ingrained in law enforcement practices.
Women and Children
In Japan, the silence surrounding sexual harassment has become a norm, exemplified by Rina Gonoi’s case. Rina’s military aspirations were shattered by pervasive harassment in the Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF). Despite reporting incidents, institutional negligence prevailed, reflecting Japan’s cultural reluctance to address sexual violence. Gonoi’s outcry sparked the Flower Demo movement, advocating for legal reforms and cultural shifts to protect individuals. Rina’s resilience echoes broader societal challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic changes in Japan’s response to sexual violence.
Poor and Homeless Individuals
Lawlessness is vividly highlighted in the ICC’s probe into the Philippines’ “war on drugs” led by former President Rodrigo Duterte. Despite Duterte’s ICC withdrawal in March 2019, the investigation, initiated in 2016, resumed in January 2023, extending beyond Duterte’s presidency. This brutal anti-narcotics campaign, marked by widespread extrajudicial killings, prompted the ICC to examine alleged “crimes against humanity” from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019, spanning Duterte’s Davao City mayoralty.
Duterte’s resistance to international scrutiny and ICC withdrawal mirrors a broader challenge faced by the poor and homeless. Often disproportionately impacted by lawlessness, this vulnerable group seeks justice beyond national borders. The ICC’s pursuit of accountability for crimes against the poor and homeless, particularly in the “war on drugs,” emphasizes the crucial role of international mechanisms in addressing their plight. As victims of extrajudicial violence and human rights abuses, the poor and homeless turn to the ICC as a beacon of hope for impartial justice and accountability.
Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Even influential figures such as businessmen are not immune to the perils of lawlessness. Legal structures for contracts and dispute resolution are crucial for the seamless functioning of businesses. Without these frameworks, entrepreneurs are exposed to heightened uncertainty, fraud, and economic instability, posing obstacles to the growth and prosperity of enterprises.
A specific instance in Canada involving fraudulent actions by SLGA employees, Rohan Swaby and Laurie Jacobson, along with the case of Tim Cimmer, illustrates this point. At the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), both employees neglected regulations, accepting foreign documents that resulted in the submission of falsified records. As a Licensing Specialist, Laurie Jacobson breached the Foreign Judgments Act by enforcing it without proper authority and accepting a non-enforceable New Jersey judgment. Disregarding guidance, they permitted the illicit alteration of ownership records for Keeley Lake Lodge.
Such cases harm a country’s economy, leading to increased poverty and crime rates.
Journalists and Media Outlets
Journalistic freedom hinges on legal safeguards. In a world without laws, journalists and media outlets would encounter censorship, threats, and violence, severely constraining their capacity to disseminate information to the public and ensure accountability for those in positions of authority. Canada’s oppressive Law Bill C-18, restricting news outlets from sharing content on social media, further exacerbates these challenges, emphasizing the critical role of legal protections in preserving an open and informed society.
Healthcare Workers
Unethical and unlawful practices have also adversely affected healthcare workers, as exemplified during the UK’s pandemic response. The government abruptly withheld bonuses for commendable healthcare workers who served tirelessly during the crisis. Subsequently, healthcare workers are taking legal action against the UK government for excluding specific staff from a Covid bonus, triggering the potential for a judicial review. The one-off bonus aimed to recognize the extraordinary efforts of NHS staff throughout the pandemic. However, many outsourced workers, such as community nurses and physiotherapists, found themselves ineligible, prompting accusations of injustice. Around 20,000 health staff in England, employed by not-for-profit organizations like social enterprises, are impacted. Social Enterprise UK, advocating for over 10,000 workers, is actively pursuing a judicial review, asserting that the current arrangement is unjust. This situation raises questions about the government’s commitment to acknowledging the contributions of healthcare workers across diverse employment structures.
The effectiveness of laws lies in their application by impartial officials committed to upholding justice and protecting the well-being of communities. This starkly contrasts with instances such as those under former President Duterte’s administration and the fraudulent practices within the SLGA, where the lack of impartiality and accountability has perpetuated injustice and eroded public trust. As we navigate the complexities of a world grappling with lawlessness, the call for fair, unbiased, and just application of laws becomes ever more crucial in ensuring a society where rights are protected, wrongs are redressed, and justice prevails.
