functions of the law
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 (9:03 AM)
we often turn to the law when attempts to create change fails. perhaps the law is the only source that can implement forced changes. or so we think.
i read in the papers today, a particular animal rights activist appealing for the law to make fur trading illegal. i didn't read the article in detail but the heading suggests that law is the only one that can stop fur trades. the truth is, the law changes nothing. at least not much.
making something illegal doesn't stop something from happening. it just makes it much less assessible and moves it from the open to the underground. such trades will go on regardless of the lawbooks because the demand is there and the rich will go through all means and ways to get it. the catch is, they don't have to do it themselves. they pay the hard-up-for-money to do it, and if they get caught, they'll just find someone else. just because something is made illegal doesn't mean people no longer have interest in them. and the fact that it's become illegal makes it even more elusive and charming. human behaviour works like this. and that it is no longer legal makes the prices go up. why wouldn't the already indifferent-to-animal-welfare traders be happier to deal in them?
it is much easier to control something that is legal than illegal.