Justice without Power is Inefficient, Power without Justice is Tyranny

12 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2009

Date Written: January 19, 2009

Abstract

Justice without power is inefficient and power without justice is tyranny. This statement states only one thing i.e "Justice and power must be brought together," Blaise Pascal wrote, "so that what is just may be powerful and whatever is powerful may be just." Law is supposed to be the instrument, the handmaiden of justice; justice is the ultimate goal. Man's quest for justice is time immemorial. He with his reasoned faculty has a constant urge to improve and to be fair. Despite law justice can not be done if there is no power to implement it. Absence of power to implement will result in toleration of intolerable. To attain justice it is important to have assortment of justice and power.

Likewise unqualified and absolute power is dangerous to the mankind. Lord Atkin rightly remarked, "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". When power is authoritarian it shows no mercy. William Pitt, said: "where law ends tyranny begins." Justice is a sentinel for protecting a republic from tyranny. Unregulated power results in tyranny. Tyranny results in violation of human rights. In such situations life will become a matter of mercy and not right. To check power it is important to have rule of law. Moral overtone will not pay. So reasonable power is always necessary to regulate the conduct, otherwise it will be ineffective. So, the judicious blend of power with justice and justice with power will ensure peace and prosperity. Albert Einstein rightly remarked religion without science is blind and science without religion is lame.

Keywords: justice, power, law

Suggested Citation

Sharma, Sharda Girijesh, Justice without Power is Inefficient, Power without Justice is Tyranny (January 19, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1329885 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1329885

Sharda Girijesh Sharma (Contact Author)

P.G Dept. of Law, Patna University ( email )

Ashok RaJ Path
old pATNA
Patna, Bihar 800001
India

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