 Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 |
Law consists essentially of a set of rules governing the use of force by the State, together with a prohibition of the use of force by private individuals or groups except in certain specified circumstances, such as self-defence. In the absence of law there is anarchy, involving the use of naked force by muscular individuals, and, although laws may be bad, they can seldom be so bad as to be worse than anarchy. A sentiment of respect for law is therefore a rational one. Private property is a device by means of which submission to law is rendered less unpalatable than it would otherwise be.
Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, (1954), chapter 1
More info.:https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-0121.htm