MOST major civilisations there have ever been went through a stage before they collapsed when traditional values and morals were marginalised and the power of the parent eroded.

Babylonia, Greece and Rome all perished that way. Polybius (c 200-118 BC), the Greek historian, is reported as saying: "Every democracy which has enjoyed prosperity for a considerable period first develops through its nature an attitude of discontent towards the existing order."

It is difficult not to draw parallels with the sun setting on the British Empire and attitudes such as those apparently endorsed by Colin McConnell, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service, who claims law-breakers are being unfairly negatively portrayed ("Prisons chief: Law-breakers should not be called 'criminals'", The Herald, August 25).

Do we really live in a world devoid of evil where we don't have criminals, just grown-up naughty children? It is interesting to note that, on the same page you report Mr McConnell's views, you printed an item on an intoxicated adult sexually assaulting a teenager under his supervision and, after a three-day trial paid for by the taxpayer, being given what some would consider a non-custodial "slap on the wrist" as a sentence. ("Boy's sex attacker given community order", The Herald, August 25). Is this an indication of a tolerant liberal society or a sign of decline?

David J Crawford,

Flat 3/3 131 Shuna Street,

Glasgow.