[arthurus]

In a totalitarian state criminals are considered to be allies of the State and they help to keep the citizenry terrorized. Criminals are not dangerous to the State. People who would consider their children's futures are dangerous to the State. In communist countries political infractions were/are considered much more serious than simple property personal crimes. Criminals were sent into the gulags, not actually as punishment for their crimes, but to terrorize and control the "politicals," reducing the need for trained guards.

Physical self defense becomes criminal and a much more serious offense than robbery or murder because it is an offense against a class allied with the State. Except, of course, when these things involve members of the ruling group or their agents.

[CSM]

“There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted and you create a nation of law-breakers — and then you cash in on guilt. Now that’s the system.”

Quote by: Ayn Rand
(1905-1982) Author
Source: “Atlas Shrugged”, Part II, Chapter 3