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About this quote

What does it mean?
Einstein claims prohibition laws lowered respect for government because unenforceable laws increase crime.
In plain terms
Laws that can't be enforced hurt respect for government and increase crime.
What can you take from it?
Unenforceable laws undermine the rule of law.

Where it applies

  • policy analysis
  • legal history

Putting it to work

  • lawmaking
  • civic education

Questions to consider

  • What makes a law legitimate?
  • How does enforcement affect respect?

Another view

Crime has many causes beyond unenforceable laws.

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