Law Is Force

“The Socialists say, since the law organizes justice, why should it not organize labor, instruction, and religion?
“Why? Because it could not organize labor, instruction, and religion, without disorganizing justice.
“For remember, that law is force, and that consequently the domain of the law cannot properly extend beyond the domain of force…
“Try to imagine a form of labor imposed by force that is not a violation of liberty; a transmission of wealth imposed by force that is not a violation of property. If you cannot succeed in reconciling this, you are bound to conclude that the law cannot organize labor and industry without organizing injustice” (The Law by Frédéric Bastiat, 2007, p19-20).

The law is force. And ultimately that force is physical. If one breaks a law, they might only be fined. But what if they believe the law was unjust and refuse to pay the fine? I suppose they might be arrested. But what if they refuse to be arrested? I suppose be tased? Shot? Incarcerated? At some point, the law must always use force.

I’m willing to punish a violation of injustice by force. But I’m not willing to violate one’s life, liberty, or property.

As you think about which laws should exist or not, don’t think of laws you want people to obey. Think of laws you want to enforce.

What do you think?
Joseph