Law and power go hand in hand. In a government without law, those who hold power decide everything. In the film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" John Wayne's character is an authority figure in a small town without an enforced law. John uses his gun as a power and sign of authority. This town would otherwise be in complete chaos. James Stewart's character is a man of the law who has little power. He tries, in many circumstances, to make laws and rules enforced. Because he does not have a gun, his power is meaningless. In order to gain respect and authority, one must have a balance of law and power under their belt.
Signing of the Constitution 1787
Thursday, March 4, 2010
"Power without law is tyranny; Law without power is meaningless"
Law and power go hand in hand. In a government without law, those who hold power decide everything. In the film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" John Wayne's character is an authority figure in a small town without an enforced law. John uses his gun as a power and sign of authority. This town would otherwise be in complete chaos. James Stewart's character is a man of the law who has little power. He tries, in many circumstances, to make laws and rules enforced. Because he does not have a gun, his power is meaningless. In order to gain respect and authority, one must have a balance of law and power under their belt.
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I agree. The law is pretty meaningless unless it's backed up by something; how many of us would follow something as arbitrary as a speed limit if we knew there was no one enforcing it? It seems clear to me that power lies in the party most heavily armed.
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