Law and order: Only Government’s or shared responsibility?

We are not going to be able to combat crimes – of any sort – merely by State interventions

By Dr R Neerunjun Gopee

Among the major issues of constant concern to citizens, two that frequently arise — whether in private conversations or in the marketplace — are the rising prices of everything, particularly the increasing cost of the food basket, and the law and order situation. With every successive change of regime over the years, there is criticism by the prospective one of the incumbent’s record of a worsening situation, and a promise that the installation of the oppositional one will definitely be accompanied by an improvement in the situation.

“Many times, there have been calls for teaching civic and moral values in educational institutions, starting from the very first levels in primary schools. The inculcation of values must claim the attention of the authorities, represented by leaders who often pontificate about values in their interventions. To that extent, they can be made to share the collective responsibility for what is happening around the country, and the sooner they address the problem the better it will be for every citizen, why for the country as a whole…”

Except, as we have seen repeatedly, that this doesn’t really happen.

As regards law and order, clearly it is primarily the State that is responsible through the judiciary and the police. On the other hand, though, as rational citizens – supplemented with reasonableness where required — we have to make up our minds as to how much of the State we want in our lives. On this score we are not only ambiguous, but hypocrites as well. As long as things are going on fine, that is, we are getting on in our lives within the national boundary and more or less respecting the laws of the country, we do not think much about government – or the State (these two terms will be used interchangeably in the course of this article). But immediately as something happens to us or to society at large, we look for scapegoats, and among the first ones are those from other communities, or the government.

For example, whether it is the killings that peak from time to time or the extreme road accidents that claim individual lives and sometimes whole families, the blame is laid entirely at the door of the government for failing to ensure law and order. But we must ask ourselves: to what extent can a government regulate the personal behaviour of individuals? Try to clamp down on alcohol sale, and there is an uproar from those who are in the business. This is supported by all manner of advertisements to promote drinking (at one time youngsters were especially targeted with smaller cans/packagings more affordable to their pockets) – accompanied by glossy publicity of the latest brands and their virtues – and invariably featuring women who are not necessarily of less virtue but are made to appear as such by wearing the minimum in these adverts.Read More… Become a Subscriber

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 20 September 2024