The quote “Laws had a bad habit of being ignored or abrogated when societal push came to totalitarian shove” suggests that when a society is pushed towards totalitarianism, laws are frequently enough disregarded or abolished. This can be seen as a criticism of authoritarian regimes where the rule of law is often sacrificed for the sake of consolidating power and maintaining control over citizens.
Totalitarianism refers to an extreme form of government where the state has total control over all aspects of public and private life. In such systems, established laws can become inconvenient obstacles that hinder the ruling partyS agenda. Therefore, these laws are either ignored (not enforced) or abrogated (officially cancelled), leading to an erosion of justice and civil liberties.
Applying this idea in today’s world could refer to various situations where governments or institutions exert excessive authority at the expense of individual rights and freedoms. For example,during times of crisis like war or pandemic,certain laws might be bypassed under emergency measures which could potentially lead to misuse if not kept in check.
In terms of personal development, this quote might serve as a reminder about the importance of upholding principles even under pressure. Just as societies must uphold their legal structures for order and justice despite challenges, individuals must also adhere to their personal values irrespective how arduous circumstances may become. It warns against compromising one’s integrity ‘when push comes to shove’, emphasizing that it’s easy for principles to be forgotten when convenience dictates otherwise.
