In theory, laws are created in the best interest of every citizen they serve. It is illegal to drink alcohol and operate a vehicle to protect other drivers, as well as pedestrians, on the streets. It is illegal to yell “fire” in a crowded theater to protect those watching the performance from experiencing unnecessary panic and potentially becoming physically harmed; and so on and so forth. But as time goes on, it becomes more and more apparent that some laws are developed for the inherent benefit of a small portion of people (generally the law makers themselves). Specifically, Bastiat (1850, p. 7) states that “the law is used by the legislator to destroy in varying degrees among the rest of the people, their personal independence by slavery, their liberty by oppression, and their property by plunder.” This is a phenomenon that unfortunately flies under most peoples’ radars. This has been seen time and time again in countries throughout the world as they experience transitions from socialism to communism (Bastiat, 1850). Politicians slowly but surely strip the freedom of their constituents. Bastiat (1850, p.15) refers to this action as “legal plunder,” or when someone takes “from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong.” To think that this could be such a common occurrence baffles me. Every human being is entitled to their rights and should be protected from unscrupulous politicians seeking to exploit them and their property. However, the sheer contradictory nature of the process of making laws creates an everlasting cycle of vengefulness that seems impossible to break. “As soon as the plundered classes gain political power, they establish a system of reprisals against other classes. They do not abolish legal plunder,” (Bastiat, 1850, p. 8). This can be seen even in the entrepreneurial world. As new products are developed off the innovation of those that came before them, entrepreneurs are inspired to be the sole profiteers in a shared market. In fact, this is just a key characteristic of human nature (Bastiat, 1850). “But there is also another tendency that is common among people. When they can, they wish to live and prosper at the expense of others,” (Bastiat, 1850, p. 6). This is an important concept to understand as it is the main drive of society. The behaviors of consumers drive the behaviors of innovators, and vice versa. As we continue to grow as a society, industries evolve to outdo others and better meet the needs of consumers, even at the expense of those around them.
Source:
Bastiat, F. (1850). The Law.
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