A balance between rules and self-responsibility is what people desire in most countries around the world. This is what Epoch Times reporters from Spain to Tanzania discovered when they asked locals, “Do you think there are too many rules or not enough in your country?”
Sydney, Australia
Alexander Thompson, 35, IT Consultant
Yes, there are definitely too many rules. Unfortunately, our society is ruled by the lowest common denominator. They restrict where you can smoke; whereas, they’ll take in billions of dollars in smoking revenue. If it’s that bad, don’t sell it to me. Also, although I don’t drink heavily, I can’t drink a bottle of wine with my girlfriend watching the fireworks because some idiot is going to smash me over the head with a glass bottle. I think, we’re constrained by fear, basically. We’re afraid of each other, afraid of everyone, and, therefore, we’ve got to make rules to control things that don’t need controlling.
Alexander Thompson, 35, IT Consultant
Yes, there are definitely too many rules. Unfortunately, our society is ruled by the lowest common denominator. They restrict where you can smoke; whereas, they’ll take in billions of dollars in smoking revenue. If it’s that bad, don’t sell it to me. Also, although I don’t drink heavily, I can’t drink a bottle of wine with my girlfriend watching the fireworks because some idiot is going to smash me over the head with a glass bottle. I think, we’re constrained by fear, basically. We’re afraid of each other, afraid of everyone, and, therefore, we’ve got to make rules to control things that don’t need controlling.
Mbeya, Tanzania
Hamida Hussein Bachoo, 44 years, Shop Owner
I don’t think either way, I guess it’s just OK. As long as you’re a good citizen, don’t steal, or do witchcraft or other crimes, you are alright. When you behave within the limits of the law, you don’t have problems.
Hamida Hussein Bachoo, 44 years, Shop Owner
I don’t think either way, I guess it’s just OK. As long as you’re a good citizen, don’t steal, or do witchcraft or other crimes, you are alright. When you behave within the limits of the law, you don’t have problems.
Warsaw, Poland
Beata Przeworska, 23, Student
There are too many rules. Particularly those related to the urban transport. There are definitely too many street signs, for example, on the 10 meters [33 feet] section of the street there can be almost 15 signs and you don’t know which one you should comply with, you can really get lost.
Beata Przeworska, 23, Student
There are too many rules. Particularly those related to the urban transport. There are definitely too many street signs, for example, on the 10 meters [33 feet] section of the street there can be almost 15 signs and you don’t know which one you should comply with, you can really get lost.
Bangalore, India
Snigdha Prabhakar, 18, Student
No, there are not enough rules in India. If there are, we are not made aware of them. Three main rules that Indian citizens should follow are: to stop spitting, littering, and urinating on the road sides. If these basic rules are followed strictly, we will at least have a standardized look and can be called ‘civilized.’
Snigdha Prabhakar, 18, Student
No, there are not enough rules in India. If there are, we are not made aware of them. Three main rules that Indian citizens should follow are: to stop spitting, littering, and urinating on the road sides. If these basic rules are followed strictly, we will at least have a standardized look and can be called ‘civilized.’
Tranas, Sweden
Hakan Andersson, 60, Service Technician
It is difficult to say whether there are too many or too few rules. I’m not the rebellious type, and therefore, I follow the rules that exist because rules are also needed in society. On the other hand, maybe I do not always do exactly as prescribed every time. I cannot think of any specific examples right now.
Hakan Andersson, 60, Service Technician
It is difficult to say whether there are too many or too few rules. I’m not the rebellious type, and therefore, I follow the rules that exist because rules are also needed in society. On the other hand, maybe I do not always do exactly as prescribed every time. I cannot think of any specific examples right now.
Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
Ales Pida, 42, Locomotive Engineer
I think we have plenty of rules—nontransparent rules. So we have become a state without rights. Only those bunch of people [pointing at a bunch of unruly people drinking alcohol] have some protection. They have more protection than we, normal working people.
Ales Pida, 42, Locomotive Engineer
I think we have plenty of rules—nontransparent rules. So we have become a state without rights. Only those bunch of people [pointing at a bunch of unruly people drinking alcohol] have some protection. They have more protection than we, normal working people.
Canary Islands, Spain
Fernando de la Fuente Carral, 40, Lawyer
Yes, for sure. Spain is a country where politicians love to over rule and over-regulate. One of the best examples of a hyper-regulated issue is the traffic. Statistics demonstrate that the key to fewer accidents is not in the laws, but in educating people because in Spain, regardless of that, hyper-regulation is still among the countries with more deadly traffic accidents. Talking about an under-regulated issue, for me it would be the euthanasia, a very emotional matter, that strikes directly at important ethic and moral facts, but here in Spain, I think that the laws are scarce about this important subject.
Fernando de la Fuente Carral, 40, Lawyer
Yes, for sure. Spain is a country where politicians love to over rule and over-regulate. One of the best examples of a hyper-regulated issue is the traffic. Statistics demonstrate that the key to fewer accidents is not in the laws, but in educating people because in Spain, regardless of that, hyper-regulation is still among the countries with more deadly traffic accidents. Talking about an under-regulated issue, for me it would be the euthanasia, a very emotional matter, that strikes directly at important ethic and moral facts, but here in Spain, I think that the laws are scarce about this important subject.
Terranuova Bni., Italy
Dania Stagi, 48, Small Business Owner
I decide always with observance to others and accept the rules naturally. If we need to pay taxes, it is necessary to pay them; if I have rules at work, I need to follow them. It is the same for children and other things in life. At my store we have too many rules; it is natural that I accept them because if not I cannot work. I think other people think differently, mainly if they need to pay taxes.
Dania Stagi, 48, Small Business Owner
I decide always with observance to others and accept the rules naturally. If we need to pay taxes, it is necessary to pay them; if I have rules at work, I need to follow them. It is the same for children and other things in life. At my store we have too many rules; it is natural that I accept them because if not I cannot work. I think other people think differently, mainly if they need to pay taxes.
Porto Alegre, Brazil
Diego De Los Santos, 28, Storekeeper
I think there are many rules that do not serve, are outdated, need to be renewed. Some laws relating to family issues and labor laws are outdated. An example is given in the issue of adoption of orphans. If a person wants to adopt children of the same family, sisters or brothers, he will suffer much interference of adoption laws, which makes the process very difficult.
Diego De Los Santos, 28, Storekeeper
I think there are many rules that do not serve, are outdated, need to be renewed. Some laws relating to family issues and labor laws are outdated. An example is given in the issue of adoption of orphans. If a person wants to adopt children of the same family, sisters or brothers, he will suffer much interference of adoption laws, which makes the process very difficult.
Japan
Akira Saeki, 49, Food Manufacturing Industry Manager
I think that we have too many rules today. For example, one is not allowed to park a bicycle except in limited places in town, and the smoker is in a similar situation. I feel that, in the past, many rules didn’t exist because people relied on their morals and virtue. With the moral standards declining, there are an increasing number of rules.
Akira Saeki, 49, Food Manufacturing Industry Manager
I think that we have too many rules today. For example, one is not allowed to park a bicycle except in limited places in town, and the smoker is in a similar situation. I feel that, in the past, many rules didn’t exist because people relied on their morals and virtue. With the moral standards declining, there are an increasing number of rules.
Aurora, OH, USA
Bonnie Evans, 57, Company Owner
I don’t know. I don’t think about it because I don’t think my rights are violated. I am happy and I feel safe here. As far as law goes, I am fine.
Bonnie Evans, 57, Company Owner
I don’t know. I don’t think about it because I don’t think my rights are violated. I am happy and I feel safe here. As far as law goes, I am fine.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “What role does volunteer work play in your community?”
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