| By Gavin Chait,
on 24 January 2007
|
 Stop ... Don't Stop
It is a microcosm of society, that red light. It isn’t real; it is simply an agreement for the convenience of the many. We limit our freedom to act in exchange for the stability of a safe traffic experience.
Laws are like that. They are intended to create convenience, stability and safety. But they limit freedom.
The problem with those red lights is when people forget that it is possible to go against them. At night, in a dangerous area, with no other traffic, it would be foolish to stop. Some people are so law abiding it leads to their harm.
And South Africa has a problem. We have lots of laws and 40% unemployment. There are plenty of red lights preventing economic development with limited understanding of what traffic they are regulating.
There are legislated standard sizes for bottles for various categories of alcoholic beverages. This law is not set by the liquor board but by the Department of Agriculture. There doesn’t appear to be any particular reason. And there is no way to change the law in any reasonable way.
The enforcement of laws in South Africa behaves a lot like an unreasonable parent: “You can’t do that!”
“Why?”
“Because I said so!”
Yet, the government asks for participation. The public is asked to comment on ideas for job creation, to create jobs by starting businesses, to take on risk. When anyone questions prevailing legislation that may prevent them starting a particular business, they get the standard negative, “Because I said so!”
With so much negativity it is no wonder that so many opt out.
If individuals have no ability to actively engage, then they don't bother. When land is taken away and there is no ownership, when workers don't experience the products of their labours, when politicians are only allowed to express the party view - then there is no active participation and so they don't bother.
It is a recipe for disaster in any economy. If the vast bulk of society has no incentive, then there will be no desire. When their opinions are discounted, then they are worth nothing.
It is like those traffic lights. They glow and proclaim, “We know what is going to happen, obey and you will be safe. Break the law and you will suffer the consequences.” And so we sit and watch the red lights.
Governments have no monopoly on the future. They have no idea what is going to happen next any more than we do. But we do know what we like and don’t like and we should be allowed to express our desires.
The government should act more like a concerned but allowing parent.
If your child wants to find out if they can swim across the deep end of the pool, you could panic and stop them. They may never try and never overcome their fear.
Or, you could watch as they try. If they succeed, fantastic. If they fail, you’ll be there to catch them.
For people to try starting businesses they need to know that they aren’t going to be abruptly stopped by officiousness that acts to enforce laws rather than the needs of society. Laws were written by people with all the limitations of their knowledge and understanding at the time.
All laws are inherently flawed. A red light is just a light. It helps you to see into dark places, albeit with a slightly red tinge.
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