lly analyze the justifications for the rule of law and the existence of government; they are forced merely to accept them. So not only does law impose ideals without giving justification; it also imposes itself without justification. Law does not allow itself to be vulnerable to criticism; instead of allowing people to judge it by its merits and failings law forcefully imposes itself, without consent based on analysis and understanding. The Social Contract purports that people who agree to the imposition of law upon them do so in exchange for the protection of the government. Still, as one can see, in reality government often fails, indeed never attempts, to protect its own people. The purpose of law and punishment is to "protect" the people, but the fact that punishment need be imposed only illustrates the fact that it does not protect. Punishment is imposed only after harmful actions against society have been carried out. In order for punishment to be applied there first must be a crime- an action that is government's responsibility to prevent from taking place. When law is applied government has already failed to protect the individual; punishment will do nothing to help the victim after they have been victimized. Law does not, in truth, prevent such behavior; it only deals with it once it has occurred. Law does nothing to prevent socially harmful behavior; it therefore does not protect in accordance with the tenets set forth in the theory of the Social Contract. Governmental oppression is justified by saying that people agree to it but, in truth, people are not given the chance to agree or to disagree; government is imposed rather than chosen. Choice is therefore replaced by the law and the free will of the individual replaced by the actions of the government. It is through government that many people become subject to ideals they would never accept, actions they would never support, and people they would never respect. The Illusion...
