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Martial rule assaults the senses, numbs the mind, drives a sense of overpowering doom into those who would disagree. Fear is the key instrument as Mr. Marcos has said so cynically – and the people do fear. “
An economic historian Jan Luiten van Zanden studied the economies of 55 dictatorships and concluded: “ The longer a dictator is in power, the worse the economic performance.”
There are those who still believe that a strong man without any opposition – a dictator – need not make concessions. He can, therefore, push through whatever is so-called” best for the economy of the country.” Van Zandem wrote: “With the passage of time, the balance shifts from the country’s interests to private interests and that is disastrous for the economy. The quality of governance declines, the clique surrounding the Great Leader is corrupt and loots the treasury. What’s more, as everything goes downhill they start to print money with the result that inflation rockets.”
The truth is that in an ideal society, the rule of law must prevail. The goal is that the rule of law must be institutionalized. History tells us that only in a democratic system can the rule of law be institutionalized.
The alternative to the rule of law is the rule of one man or mob rule. In a dictatorship, one man’s orders is the substitute for a constitution and all the institutions of authority in a country. In a dictatorship, the command of one man automatically becomes the law of the land. It is in this environment that the old maxim rings true: “Absolute power corrupt and corrupts absolutely.”
In a society where the rule of law prevails, it is important that citizens understand that they must learn to accept laws and decisions even if they do not agree. However, these laws must be within the framework of a constitution that protects basic freedoms and human rights. The system for choosing the lawmakers must also be democratic and not left to one man.
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