Regardless of circumstance criminal activity is never, on any account, worthy of admiration. Society imposes law for a reason. A criminal is a person who breaches these rules. He or she can expect to be prosecuted by the prevailing state or governing authority.

To examine whether criminal activity is worthy of admiration we need to consider why laws are made, why they are broken and how penalties are imposed for their breach. In a democratic society laws are made to reflect the public opinion prevailing at the time of their creation. Certain laws are timeless. Throughout history society has regarded it wrong to steal, maim or murder. In other circumstances laws may be timely. Licencing laws may change from generation depending upon the prevailing social mood.

When society becomes more progressive radical campaigners sometimes break the law to advance their cause. Mass trespass could force the right of access. Back- street abortions could force a change in the abortion law. Assisted suicides could force a change to the law on suicide. These actions should not be encouraged because of their potential to destabilise a respect for law and democracy. Modern society gives a heavy focus to the individual. Who is arbiter, who decides which is a worthy cause? A society which permits an excess of campaigning hotheads will descend into anarchy. It is far better to encourage change using the democratic process, even though this may at times be painfully slow. A failure to respect institutions is anarchy.

Sometimes the law is broken inadvertently or through mitigating circumstances. What are we to make of the mother who murders her husband after years of abuse? We can admire courage and character for enduring these difficult circumstances but we must not admire the murder: a crime is a crime. We must hope that at the sentencing stage a good judge will take into account the mitigating circumstances. Can we admire the freedom fighter whose stature stands in a city square even if he or she has committed an atrocity? In a similar way we can admire their character and persistence in advancing their cause but we cannot condone their criminal acts. Strong governments do not negotiate with terrorists unless they relinquish violence.

Modern western society has reached a point where it is giving too much credence to individual freedom and radical views. This is eroding a basic respect in law and order. This should be curtailed by voting against the motion that criminal activity can be worthy of admiration.