The Rule of Law and Good Will

The Rule of Law is important to society. Without Law, there would be anarchy. Paradoxically, with Law, there may be something worse. The world is full of paradox, and usually we try to ignore it.

However, consider the fact that Hitler came to power in Germany by completely legal means. To be sure there was a lot of extra-legal thuggery, but that was more how the party kept itself in a ferment and within the public eye; President von Hindenberg offered the Chancellorship to Herr Hitler in the exact same tradition of legality by which the position had been offered to others.

Thus, the Rule of Law may destroy itself.

If the Rule of Law may destroy itself, what is there to prevent it? Only the good will of men and women. The ultimate basis of human society is the good will and good faith of mankind. Lose faith, lose good will, lose the Golden Rule and everything becomes problematic.