Official disregard for people as human beings

Government disregard for individuals
Impersonality of bureaucracy

Nature

The inflexible traditional bureaucracy of social care services limits both the accessibility of services and the coverage of people's needs. There is a lack of creative exchange and a narrow range of alternatives in the political process, and the individual is no longer able to control his access to services, nor is there consensus on the maintaining of systems of access.

Background

Official disregard for people as human beings emerged as a recognized global concern during the 20th century, particularly following revelations of state-sanctioned abuses during wars and authoritarian regimes. International attention intensified with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, which highlighted the need for governments to respect individual dignity. Subsequent documentation by organizations such as Amnesty International further exposed systemic neglect, prompting ongoing scrutiny of institutional attitudes toward human welfare worldwide.

Incidence

Social and governmental agencies often equate progress in dealing with social problems with more efficient handling of data. More and more time is spent with internal communications and less and less with those the agency is to be serving.

Claim

Official disregard for people as human beings is a grave and urgent problem. When institutions treat individuals as mere numbers or obstacles, it erodes trust, dignity, and justice. Such indifference fuels inequality, suffering, and social unrest. No society can claim to be just or civilized while ignoring the humanity of its people. We must demand accountability and compassion from those in power—anything less is a betrayal of our shared human values.

Counter-claim

The idea that "official disregard for people as human beings" is a significant problem is vastly overstated. Modern institutions are designed to serve the public, and any claims of widespread disregard are exaggerated. Most officials act with integrity and respect, and isolated incidents should not be mistaken for systemic issues. Focusing on this supposed problem distracts from real challenges and undermines trust in the systems that keep society functioning smoothly.