As a keen observer of global events, current events show a disturbing acceleration towards anarchy.
People seem to feel that if they do not elect a leader that they do not like, then they have no obligation to support the decision of the majority. It is felt that any measures are acceptable to demonstrate their displeasure. Looting, destroying public property, attacking any nearby citizens. Violence is an acceptable alternative. Extremism is becoming less extreme and more common.
The "Yellow Vests" in France are a good current example, where the impending taxation on fuel is being protested. The Democrats in North America, are now unhappy with their voting system. Pretty much the same can be found in most countries today.
A word just about as popular as "fake news" is "activist". What is this marvellous creature? They can be simply defined as a vigorous supporter of a certain ideal. They are "active". To me it seems as if they encourage civil demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience.
In my country, South Africa, we are filled with Activists. Just as in many other countries, the sincere activists are joined by hoodlums and thugs, who create violent confrontations with state forces at the first opportunity. One may wonder who funds these vast demonstrations? What benefit do these shadowy puppeteers gain?
Lets consider my beloved country where civil disobedience was encouraged to oppose the White Nationalist government. Now more than twenty years have elapsed. What is the bitter fruit that today's democratic government are harvesting?
A collapsing municipal structure; those who were encouraged not to pay their electricity bills during the Apartheid era still do not pay their accounts. I have a friend in the municipality and there are many billions of rands that are noncollectable and inflate the books, making their assets look good on their "balance sheet".
Civil disobedience with a total disregard for rules of the road. When approaching a green traffic light, one must looks both ways to ensure other traffic is intending to stop.
Dissatisfaction with schooling or service delivery results in burning buildings, rioting and wholesale theft.
I could continue but I am merely illustrating the consequences of civil disobedience. Of course society can go too far the other way and turn into Nazi Germany.
Yet laws need to be upheld for the benefit of all members of the community.
I have shared the analogy of the necessity of having traffic rules obeyed by all parties, it allows the traveller to reach their destination in optimum time.
There is always history that a short sighted society ignores. A most remarkable episode occurred in the Spanish Civil war where there were a large number of Anarchists that supported the liberal government. When Franco opposed them with the help of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, the more ordered Rebels were able to prevail. The number of atrocities committed by both sides was appalling but the anarchists would casually, almost on a whim it seemed, just shoot members of the community who they felt opposed them. The anarchists were never really elected, they just did things. They were bound to fail. The foundation of the legitimate Spanish government were undermined by its own allies.
(Map of Spain in 1937)
So how far can civil unrest be allowed to go? A demonstration is actually worthless in its impact unless there is screaming, smashing things and intimidating the target of their discord.
Chaos versus Order. Where must the Pendulum be stopped? Frustration leads to Anger. Anger leads to Hatred. Anger and Hatred lead to Violence.
The pillars of a stable society of South Africa are now creaking as laws are being ignored and broken, while Law Enforcement agencies are weakened and become increasingly ineffective.
Crime does pay in South Africa, is our society broken beyond repair?
Look back in American History. When OJ Simpson got away with murdering his wife because of the riots and chaos in Los Angeles. Cunning defence lawyers turned it into a racist issue. The famous ex footballer got away with it because he was Black. Not without reason, it is well known that Black people usually get the short end of the stick when it comes to fair treatment by mostly white police officers. Whether this is completely true or not is beside the point, because ACTIVISTS say it is so and the Black community has aligned themselves behind the movement. Yes, even in America, the "biggest democracy" on our planet, observing the laws is a problem and a struggle is taking place. Observing the law is poisoned by racism from both sides.
America was more interested in the OJ Simpson Trial than the genocide occurring in Eastern Europe in Serbia. The lives of hundreds of thousands of murdered Muslims gained scant attention in America. What a terrible indictment.
There can never be a void of just anarchy, powerful people will impose themselves as dictators, once again I must point to Spain and General Franco.
Please don't think that activism does not have its place. There is always the marvellous example of Mahatma Gandhi, his struggles to free his people from subservient citizenship. His struggles may have seemed doomed, yet he never degraded himself to the use of violence. His patience and courage eventually overcame the might of Britain and freed his nation. Even Smuts, who was his political foe, admired him greatly.
Freedom has a price that must be paid. Honouring and sustaining the law is a foundation that must be upheld by it's citizens, not just the police and justice system, everyone. That means you and me.
