The Perversion of the Law According to Frédéric Bastiat
In his essay “The Law”, French economist and philosopher Frédéric Bastiat argued that law was intended to protect people from harm but was…
In his essay “The Law”, French economist and philosopher Frédéric Bastiat argued that law was intended to protect people from harm but was increasingly used to promote injustice. He warned that this perversion of the law could have serious consequences for society. Let’s take a closer look at why he felt so strongly about this issue and what we can do today to combat it.
Bastiat’s Argument
In “The Law,” Bastiat argued that laws should be used to protect people’s rights rather than as tools of oppression and control by those in power. He wrote, “When [the law] is diverted from its true mission, it violates property instead of protecting it. It creates poverty rather than resolving it.” In other words, when the law is employed in a way that goes against its intended purpose, it serves only to create inequality and suffering.
How This Plays Out Today
Unfortunately, Bastiat’s warnings are still relevant today. For example, many governments worldwide use the law to suppress freedom of speech or religious expression. Other governments may use laws to protect powerful corporate interests over those of everyday people. And in some cases, governments may even use the law as an excuse for corruption or abuse of power.
Combating This Perversion of the Law
So what can be done? One important step is educating ourselves on our rights under the law and how we can help prevent its misuse. We must also hold our leaders accountable for their actions and speak out against any injustice we see in our communities or beyond our borders. Finally, we must remember Frédéric Bastiat’s words and strive for a society where all are treated equally under the law.
It is clear that Frédéric Bastiat was right — if we allow the perversion of the law to continue unchecked, it will have severe consequences for society as a whole. We must work together to ensure that everyone has access to justice and fundamental human rights regardless of race, religion or social standing — using education and activism as our guides along this path toward equality under the law. By protecting these fundamental rights within our communities and worldwide, we can ensure that justice prevails over oppression every time.