When Justice Sleeps: The Eroding Rule of Law in a Gilded Age

WPS.News (Baybay City, Philippines) – December 5, 2025 – The American ideal of the rule of law – a society where all are subject to the same legal code – is facing a growing threat. Wealth, power, and a culture of self-interest are chipping away at the foundation of justice, leaving many wondering if the scales are truly balanced.

The principle is simple: a predictable legal framework ensures fairness, stability, and prosperity for all. Yet, the reality is far more complex. The wealthy wield influence in legal systems, exploiting loopholes and bending the rules to their advantage. Selective enforcement becomes commonplace, with the powerful escaping consequences while ordinary citizens face the full brunt of the law.

This erosion isn’t limited to backroom deals. We see it in the brazen use of neutralization techniques. Powerful actors deny responsibility for wrongdoing, minimize the harm caused, or shift blame to the victims. They denounce critics as self-serving and appeal to a twisted sense of loyalty, placing personal gain or group interests above the law.

Perhaps most concerning is the rise of oligarchic dominance. When a small, elite group holds undue sway, the needs of the common people become an afterthought. Human rights are disregarded, replaced by a ruthless pursuit of wealth and power. Corruption becomes a tool for self-enrichment, and dissent is silenced through intimidation and manipulation of the legal system itself. The law, once a shield for the vulnerable, becomes a weapon for the privileged.

This isn’t a dystopian future; it’s the chilling reality we face if we fail to act. The fight for a just and equitable society requires constant vigilance. Public education must illuminate the importance of the rule of law. Institutions tasked with upholding the law – the judiciary, law enforcement, and regulatory bodies – need to be fiercely independent and transparent.

Citizen participation is paramount. We must hold our elected officials accountable, demanding they serve the public good, not narrow interests. Internationally, collaboration is key. By strengthening the rule of law globally, we create a bulwark against the forces that seek to exploit and manipulate it.

The fight for a just society is a marathon, not a sprint. We must resist the siren song of cynicism and apathy. The alternative is a society where the wealthy and powerful reign supreme, and the scales of justice tip irrevocably in their favor. The time to act is now. Let us not allow the dream of the rule of law to fade into a forgotten ideal.