The Complete Perversion of the Law

by Frédéric Bastiat

　　But, unfortunately, law by no means confines itself to its properfunctions. And when it has exceeded its proper functions, it has notdone so merely in some inconsequential and debatable matters. The lawhas gone further than this; it has acted in direct opposition to itsown purpose. The law has been used to destroy its own objective: Ithas been applied to annihilating the justice that it was supposed tomaintain; to limiting and destroying rights which its real purpose wasto respect. The law has placed the collective force at the disposal ofthe unscrupulous who wish, without risk, to exploit the person,liberty, and property of others. It has converted plunder into aright, in order to protect plunder. And it has converted lawfuldefense into a crime, in order to punish lawful defense.

　　How has this perversion of the law been accomplished? And whathave been the results?

　　The law has been perverted by the influence of two entirelydifferent causes: stupid greed and false philanthropy. Let us speakof the first.