The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government. Agree or disagree?

[JRKH]

I saw this quote in a person’s signature and thought it most interesting…

“The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government”
Publius Cornelius Tacitus

After reflecting on it for a few minutes it seemed to me that a more accurate statement - at least in our more modern, democratic world - would be, “The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the Society”.

Thoughts?

Are increasing numbers of “Laws” a reflection of the corruption of government? Of society as a whole? A general cultural breakdown?



Peace
James

 

[Pug]

It seems to me that laws and regulations and precedents accumulate over time, so the more laws, the longer the government has been in operation.

 

[ExCatholicGuy]

Certainly the potential for corruption is greater with more numerous laws. You can see that best in urban governments, where numerous regulations and the requirement to get a permit for practically everything gives inspectors and other low-level functionaries extraordinary power with a corresponding temptation toward corrupt practices.

 

[Non_sum_dignus]

I think another way of looking at that is this: “The more things the government can control, the more opportunity there is to abuse that control.” Every law, good or bad, restricts individual liberty. If we care about individual liberty, we have to be very careful about the laws we pass and enforce.

Of course, America was structured so that the the people had more say in the government than any other nation has ever had. We have allowed (or sometimes encouraged) the central government to claim more authority than it was ever supposed to have. So, in that sense, “society” could be used in place of “government” in that quote without losing much accuracy.

 

[MugenOne]

Laws have become so numerous, that for the first time in 2000 years of classical western jurisprudence, U.S. federal judges are actually allowing ignorance of the law as an ameliorating excuse.

Here’s a quote from Lao Tzu, one of my favorite Oriental philosophers: “The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished… The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be.”

 

[JRKH]

Laws have become so numerous, that for the first time in 2000 years of classical western jurisprudence, U.S. federal judges are actually allowing ignorance of the law as an ameliorating excuse.

Interesting…I hadn’t heard this.

Here’s a quote from Lao Tzu, one of my favorite Oriental philosophers: “The more artificial taboos and restrictions there are in the world, the more the people are impoverished… The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves and robbers there will be.”

Noting that this, as well as the OP, quote are rather ancient and the understanding of “government” being quite a bit different today, would you agree that society as a whole carries a greater share and responsibility for this?

Peace
James