Trust

Trust is not a feature of arbitrary power. Obedience, coercion, intimidation, indoctrination, and force underwrite the absence of fixed rules, the fluidity of rules. The rule of law means arbiters--judges--and entails trust in those arbiters. As civil society matures, the sources of trust--individuals, groups and institutions who may be relied upon to act independently of state coercion--grow in number and influence, facilitating public scrutiny of the exercise of power.

Whatever trust was generated during Spain's transition to democracy is eroding. Here's proof: Hacienda confirma la financiación ilegal del PP valenciano, que responde con una querella. For those with no Spanish, a political party is suing the revenue service--the tax man--over incriminating documentation. In a country where the revenue service and the judiciary are accused of playing party political games, the rule of law is compromised and democracy under threat.