sudarshan123

Question: if people in a society should actively question rules imposed by authority or passively accept them? Rules are framed by authorities so as to enforce civility in the society. Though such rules are generally promulgated after required deliberation, there are instances where these rules interfere with an individual's liberty. Therefore it is imperative that we have a society where the rules of the authority can be questioned, resulting in protecting the rights of all individuals. Historically it has been seen that, societies where rules have been thrust on to the people has only invariably led to oppression, and then eventually to insurgence. This brings us to this very important question: if we want our people to abide law because rules have been enforced with an iron hand, or abide it by understanding the social importance of the rules imposed? Historically we have seen that when a populous understands the importance of a set of rules the community in general fares better. It can be asserted that only when people question the necessities of rules, can they better understand the importance of these rules. The abilty to question the necessity of rules helps to hedge the the power exercised by authorities. Hedging the authority of bureaucrats helps maintain balance of power, very important towards precluding any movement of the society towards a dictatorial regime. Another benefit is that, the process of questioning rules keeps people informed about the various happenings in their societies, which is also very essential. Questioning rules can at times bring about undesired effects onto the society: such as revolts against the promulgation of certain rules. This would definitely be absent in a society where rules are accepted passively, and it could be argued that such societies -where several factions have been silenced- work willingly, or unwillingly for the growth of the society. But as evidenced by history years of oppression eventually results in insurgence, breaking the very structure the society had built till now. It can be concluded that, it is important for people to do both: understand, and question the existence of certain rules, both of which can only happen in a society where rules are being actively question by the people.