Rule of Law vs. Rule by Law | Muhammad Saeed | TEDxRoshni Chowk
In this TEDx talk, Muhammad Saeed examines how the erosion of the rule of law begins when power goes unchecked. Drawing from constitutional principles and global examples, he argues that the concentration of authority, whether in politics or institutions inevitably leads to abuse, turning the rule of law into rule by law, where legal frameworks are used as tools rather than safeguards.The talk traces how systems of checks and balances, judicial independence, and separation of powers were designed to prevent absolute power, yet have repeatedly been undermined often with legal justification provided by the judiciary itself. Saeed highlights how the weakening of judicial independence and constitutional norms has contributed to political instability, pointing to recent upheavals across South Asia as cautionary examples.Addressing Pakistan’s context, the talk challenges young people to recognize that they have inherited a system shaped more by rule by law than by true constitutional governance. Saeed emphasizes that when institutions fail to check power, citizens must understand their rights, their constitution, and their responsibility to hold authority accountable. He argues that, despite its imperfections, the rule of law remains the most reliable foundation for stability, justice, and democratic survival. I, Muhammad Saeed, am a highly focused law student with a deep academic interest in constitutional law. Known for my strong performance in my studies, I was a founding member of our university's Moot Court Society, where I further honed my skills in advocacy and served in key organizational roles as Social and Deputy Secretary. My dedication to the legal field extends to my role as General Secretary of the Young Lawyers' Association (DIHE Wing). Furthermore, I have served my community by raising awareness on fundamental and human rights and played a crucial logistical role in the Arts Council's Logistics Society. This blend of strong scholarship and committed civic leadership provides the unique perspective I intend to share during my TEDx talk on the Rule of Law. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 12:30What if AI can help us fight organized crime and corruption? | Gian Maria Campedelli | TEDxGenevaOrganized crime undermines democracy and economic development across the globe. According to a recent report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, 80% of the world’s population lives in countries with a high presence of criminal organizations. When these organizations grow through corruption, fighting them becomes even more difficult.In this talk, computational criminologist Gian Maria Campedelli introduces a new approach that uses open data and machine learning to predict where—and when—criminal organizations in Italy are likely to infiltrate local governments. By revealing both the promises and the pitfalls of applying AI to the fight against corruption and organized crime, he invites us to imagine how modern technologies can empower citizens and help build a safer, fairer society. Gian Maria Campedelli is a Research Scientist at Fondazione Bruno Kessler and an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Research at the University of Trento, Italy. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminology from Università Cattolica in Milan in 2020 and received the Early Career Award from the European Society of Criminology in 2023. His research focuses on developing computational methods to study complex criminal phenomena. His interests include organized crime, corruption, violence, urban crime, and the risks associated with the emerging collective behavior of AI agents. He has published extensively in high-profile journals, including Science, and his work has been featured in outlets such as the Financial Times, The Guardian, The Economist, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:22Considérations sur les peuples premiers des Antilles | Henry PETITJEAN ROGET | TEDxPointeaPitreIl avait réalisé que l'histoire des peuples indigènes des Antilles était en fait très mal connue du grand public et même des descendants avérés des Kalinagos des Petites Antilles et des Taïnos des Grandes Antilles. Pour cette raison, en accord avec l'organisation de l'évènement, nous avons opté pour un bref entretien basé sur une question et sa réponse. Notre but a consisté à structurer un bref discours pour transmettre des connaissances et réaliser l'importance de l'héritage culturel de ces peuples aux cultures traditionnelles antillaises. Son intérêt pour le passé indigène de la Martinique, puis plus tard, pour celui des Antilles, trouve ses origines dans la classe de Sciences naturelles du révérend Père Pinchon, l'un des fondateurs de l'archéologie des petites Antilles. Ses travaux ont particulièrement porté sur l'art céramique et l'art rupestre des peuples autochtones céramistes des petites et des grandes Antilles et leurs rapports avec ce que nous savons de leurs mythologies. Il travaille actuellement à une synthèse de ses travaux sur les Kalinagos, destinée à être publiée en anglais. Enfin, sa passion pour la transmission de savoirs l'a amené à écrire des contes pour enfants et adolescents. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx




