THE ROLE OF DETECTION IN RULE ENFORCEMENT

Abstract

<p>All rules or laws depend for their enforcement upon some means of detecting infractions. In this paper I argue that, particularly in the liberal state, the most appropriate and effective means of detection is the complaint of the victim, and I discuss the perils associated with legislation that fails to take this simple principle into account. My arguments are illustrated with examples both from my personal experience in designing rules for a live roleplaying game system (which I claim is a microcosm for the liberal state) and from such real-world cases as the War on Drugs, the exploitation of illegal immigrant labour, and the zina laws of Pakistan.</p>