i was just thinking that if we didn't have so many laws about every little thing there wouldn't be so many killing and stealing around. i know(or i think i know) that in amsterdam doesn't have many laws and i bet their crime rate isn't high and i also think if there weren't many laws people in america would be more open minded and more "free". i'm not saying that there shouldn't be laws at all but if we didn't have so many this country would be better, to me. what do you thind?
2006-09-30 12:08:23 · 15 answers · asked by jdukenumber1 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Your question reminds me of Jeffrey Reiman's "The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison." He advocates the decriminalization of "victimless crimes," such as prostitution, gambling, vagrancy, homosexuality, drunkenness, and drug use, to reduce crime rates. (I don't think homosexuality is a crime, though.) He claims that drug addicts themselves are not dangerous to others, but the illegality of drug use often leads them to commit property crimes or homicide to get illicit drugs.
By the way, I'm Japanese and live in Japan. Japan is a highly industrialized country and has many laws like the U.S. Prostitution, marijuana, and all other drugs are illegal in Japan. However, our country has much lower crime rates than other developed nations. For example, in 1993, Japan had a homicide rate of 1 per 100,000 inhabitants, Switzerland 2.5, France 4.9, Canada 5.6, the U.S. 9.5. (p.21)
Japan has low crime rates not because we don't have many laws but because we have the very strict gun-control laws, as well as there is much greater emphasis on the importance of social harmony in groups. This groupism culture of not standing out or doing anything which will bring dishonor to the family or other social unit helps prevent the Japanese from committing crimes.
Although the crime rates have recently been increasing in Japan, I believe that our strict gun-control laws and our groupism culture keep Japan's crime rates low compared to other countries. Anyway, I don't drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or use drugs but agree with the decriminalization of victimless crimes. The law shouldn't be forcing us to tell what is right and wrong. We're fully grown adults and can make our own choices and decisions, relying on our own judgment.
2006-09-30 15:21:18 · answer #1 · answered by Nanako 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it would change much...
I mean, yes, a lot of people commit crime to rebel, but, if there weren't as many laws, people would just go ahead and do it anyway.
Though, a lot of people don't even KNOW the laws of this country, so they think they can get away with it, or they suffer from stupidity. Maybe just everyone needs some educating... IDK... there's no win-win situation to crime if you commit it!
If more and more people know all the consequences, MAYBE-HOPEFULLY-less people would do it.
Everyone suffers-the victims, the victim's family, the criminal's family, and the criminal!
WHY the hell don't criminals get it????!!!!!
2006-09-30 19:20:57 · answer #2 · answered by ♫Jessakiki♣ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is hard to say if it would be better. this country was brought into existence my means of which we now consider crime, so it almost seems to be an ingrained issue in our culture.
I do believe that some of the lesser laws should be removed & that would lower some of the statistics, but this country would still lead the industrialized world in violent crime.
2006-09-30 19:27:22 · answer #3 · answered by Justin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. Our culture feels entitled to things that isn't even their right. They would not know how to handle it. Our culture is growing more and more disrespectful and lacking character that they don't care about others. They have to be taught character traits at school. We need to learn how to treat one another better first and then we can handle less laws because we will have a conscience that patrols are own actions.
2006-09-30 19:13:13 · answer #4 · answered by skept1c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, getting rid of laws will reduce the crime rate. If stealing isn't illegal and someone steals your money, there is no crime. But you are still missing your money, so what advantage is there to that?
2006-09-30 19:12:02 · answer #5 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think the laws are fine when it comes to crime...we just need to get rid of the friggin lawyers!!
2006-09-30 19:13:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start cleaning out the cops. Maybe citizens won't be provoked to do more harm, respect authority, and want to be part of the solution willingly
2006-09-30 19:15:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never trust you fellow man to do the right thing...look about you! Under Republicans, greedy corporations were asked to do the right thing and pass the money down..yea, it could happen. Now go to the pumps and see what you spend.
2006-09-30 19:10:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obviously because the law wouldn't be broken. People will still kill when they don't get what they want.
2006-09-30 19:15:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There arent too many laws in this country.(you obviously mean Uzbekistan,dont you?)
2006-09-30 19:42:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋