Spotlighting hypocrisy

The normalisation of criminal behaviour is spreading across the globe. Trying to pretend everything is OK in life when it is not an exhausting experience. Not just assassination, territorial invasions, killing of journalists, massacre of innocent people, and human trafficking are occurring. The list can go on and on, including hidden and ambiguous situations.

The growing disregard for international laws and rules demonstrates fast geopolitics in the making in which those already in power feel entitled to twist entire societies within their goals of vanity. The less advantaged people must comply with the laws, while those with money and political influence have flexibility to shape the world to fit their interests. Examples can be drawn from different parts of the world.

Unfortunately, crimes against humanity have recently increased while voices condemning wars, indiscriminate shelling, or increased executions are fewer. It is not that the technicalities of laws no longer work; it is more about complacency, inefficiency, or omission.

The theoretical perspective on the relationship between law and social regulation is going through changes, with business misconduct becoming less of a crime and more of a tailored narrative.

Despite existing ethics and compliance rules, business misconduct has grown over the years. Overlooking intentional wrongdoing opens the door for bigger and bolder criminal attitudes. After all, shortcuts can be used to protect business; while violence does not solve problems, it can be lucrative!

We are witnessing the normalisation of an abnormal world. Here, I am not talking about violence in street culture, in which peer influence is appointed as the cause, and a range of literature can offer a broad range of explanations and solutions. I am talking about something bigger in which not one or two people but thousands, if not millions, are affected by criminal behaviour.

Such as forcible transfer of population, severe deprivation, torture, rape, enforced prostitution, forced disappearance, etc., are all becoming normalised. The desperate need for medical aid, lack of education, and continuous displacement in several parts of the world are becoming part of an everyday reality.

Generally speaking, ordinary individuals feel weak and helpless towards the crimes committed by leaders, presidents, organisations, corporations, etc., against humanity or the environment.

So, are psychopaths ruling the world? Are dark souls taking the world over? From one point to the other and crisscrossing the globe, we learn about sinister crimes. It is incredible how artful and Machiavellian are the engines behind diplomacy, negotiation, and vested interest.

Governments are bent on normalising state violence. But what we are seeing nowadays is not new. We had several crimes, such as the Cambodian genocide, Rwandan, Rohingya, Yazidi, and Bosnian, to mention a few.

There is a kind of desensitized approach to violence and tragedy. Unfortunately, causes and consequences have been purposefully overlooked. Stathis Kalyvas, a political scientist, has argued that violence involves more than just aggressors and victims. It involves collaborators and sympathizers who are central to the process of violence.

It seems the world is sliding into the unknown. We hear about violence in schools, domestic abuse, and the media perpetuating violence in drama series and games. The more violence and killings, the easier it becomes accepted; there is a shift in social perception and violence becomes normal. Or perhaps not. Events that would be ignored or never reported are now receiving broad media attention and, therefore, global exposure.

Journalism and media have evolved, and we are now inundated with more news and misleading information than ever. However, social media platforms are taking down posts that could be used later as evidence of the atrocities. We see cruelty being ignored, while governments, media, and organisations openly approve of criminal behaviours. Allies in politics, interests, and business. Hypocrisy and moral evasiveness can cause revulsion.