Watch the law

One of my measurements for how developed a society has become is in the clarity and uniformity of its laws, and how evenly they are applied.

In undeveloped countries, laws serve as tools for the government to control its people. Citizens are kept at the mercy of rulers, knowing that at any time they may have violated rules (since many of them are conflicting or unclear) and it is the prerogative of the government whether or not to prosecute them.

I think of the old Soviet Union, or any number of Banana Republics.

In civil societies, rulers are subject to the laws, and may not apply them as they wish. Rather, justice is blind. The laws are sufficiently clear and enforced evenly. Rex lex - the law is king.

Regarding Singapore's upcoming elections, and the laws covering campaigning:

"Those interviewed were in unison about one thing: The laws are broad enough to allow the authorities to prosecute offenders as and when necessary. Whether they do so, however, is another issue altogether.
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Which begs the question: Exactly what is allowed when it comes to writing about politics and the GE during the election period?
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Such OB markers are difficult to pinpoint, and it's unrealistic to expect the laws to be drafted to address every single situation, said Mr Charles Chong, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Information, Communications and the Arts.