A Social Trust Theory of Criminal Law, Part I
Ours is a society of strangers. Every day, we are likely to encounter dozens of unfamiliar faces, even if only fleetingly through the windshield of a car. We purchase our life’s necessities from people who are typically no more than bare acquaintances. Through the media, we are constantly exposed to exotic voices and personalities. We are even unlikely to know really well all of our neighbors and coworkers. What is it they always say about the serial killers? “He was such a nice, quiet neighbor.”
It sometimes seems a wonder our society does not disintegrate altogether. After all, it is not an easy or natural thing for strangers to live together harmoniously.