Foxes guarding henhouses. Lawyers disciplining lawyers. Cops disciplining cops.
Do any of these sound like good ideas? If so, do they work in practice?
Do any of these sound like good ideas? If so, do they work in practice?
I truly do want to believe it works in practice, but I have my limits.
[0] - https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/video-shows-n-mexico-...
Not to mention that a defence in a criminal trial will likely bankrupt all but the top 1%. Which is why innocent people almost always take a plea deal.
People are quick to say "I will sue", or "I will defend my innocence to the end", until presented with the potential bill. Justice is truly the providence of the rich, and the rich only.
Additionally, plea deals are also taken because they’re a “known”. You can quantify the result, and you can’t in a court case. Not to mention most people really don’t want to deal with the stress and find probation + fine + misdemeanor a worthwhile cost.
The near total lack of accountability and oversight erodes the public's trust in critical institutions that our society depends on to stay functional. It destabilizes our nation. Corruption spreads when it isn't kept in check. The longer this goes on, the more difficult it will be to correct, and however long that takes, it'll take much longer before trust is restored.
Why should lawyers discipline lawyers? Why should cops discipline cops? Why should lobbyists advise legislators? Why should banks help to shape financial regulations? Why should corporate aircraft engineers participate in the aircraft certification process?
Because they are subject matter experts. Who else is better placed and better suited to do it, and who else would charge less for the service?
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" a.k.a. "Who watches the watchmen?" is a 2000 years old quote so it's not a new problem either.
What we want is something that works for the people being served. Subject matter experts are great for input, but just because foxes are experts in chickens, being so intimately familiar with their ins and outs, that doesn't mean that they should run the hen house. We need other stakeholders involved too. The people who depend on those systems need to be represented. The people those institutions serve. The people who will be impacted by them.