In Defense of Liberalism

I can hear the protestations already.  I know that many people will be thinking “what about the victim?”  True, we spend alot of time hmmming and arrring about what should be done about those who hurt other people.  We spend comparatively little time focusing upon those who have been hurt or inconvenienced as a result of crime and anti-social behaviour.  There are no easy answers to this one.  Nobody wants to fall victim to a mugger whilst going about their daily business.  Should sentencing reflect the severity of the crime?  Of course it should!  You wouldn’t expect a murderer and a shoplifter to be given the same sentence, would you?  What many people appear to overlook is the fact that these distinctions already exist within British law.  Whether or not certain sentences are too leniant is a whole other discussion-and very complex one at that.  This is where I often come up against some harsh criticism because I feel that the British legal system IS fair and just.  Depeneding, obviously, upon what you would class as fair and just.  I know that some have argued that victims should have a say over what punishment (if any) should be handed out.  The mere suggestion of this makes me wonder what people think is the purpose of the legal system.  Is it for justice?  Revenge?  A combination of the two? 

If I was raped or mugged, would I not want to see the person punished?  Would I not feel angry?  Of course I would.  The desire to get your own back on a person who has caused you suffering is a very human trait.  This does not, however, mean that it is the correct way of dealing with the situation.  Naturally, I WOULD advocate ensuring that those who are a danger to others are kept out of the community.  I would not like to think that these people are roaming free and able to strike at any given moment.  Having said that, the majority of people who make up our communities are not dangerous people.  Within that there are many individuals who have strayed down the wrong path and need help and encouragement to get back onto the right track.  My point is that if we exacted revenge on every person who wronged us then the world would be in a much sorrier state than it is at present.  We should allow people to learn and move on from their mistakes.  This, I think, is what defines Liberalism from other paradigms.  It is very much centred around an individualistic approach, which IS fair and progressive.