Page 76 - kpi17968

65

and developed as a consequence. There is evidence that some have
developed rule of law democracy in rudimentary forms and
developed as a consequence. Many have developed, at least
economically, before adopting the rule of law. Some on the other
hand have developed rule of law, economic development and
democracy almost simultaneously. It is endlessly debated what is
the relationship between these three elements.

This was pointed up for me when in 2013 the Singapore
Academy of Law organised a seminar entitled ‘The Importance of
the Rule of Law in Promoting Development’. The Chief Justice
of Singapore proposed in his address an amendment to the title to
read, ‘The Importance of Development in Promoting the Rule of
Law’. I suggested in the question and answer session that it should
be further amended to read, ‘The Importance of Promoting the
Rule of Law in Development’.

By way of conclusion let me be clear.

I believe that the rule of law in the thin procedural sense
does promote economic development. Economic development in
turn promotes democracy and the perfecting of a thick
comprehensive rule of law. A thick comprehensive rule of law
promotes development in its broader sense and a better
democracy. These in turn promote better economic sustainability.
Accordingly, rule of law, development and democracy can form a
positively effective virtuous circle – if the conditions are right.

If only it were easy to achieve this virtuous circle. It isn’t.
Even to move in the general direction of the virtuous circle, basic
political stability is needed, not to mention the absence of
disasters such as war and famine. Development of everything is
needed at some level before development of anything can be
sustained. Law, education, agriculture, infrastructure, basic health
care … the list goes on and on.

ปาฐกถานำ