4.2 Reasons for Laws Flashcards
4.2.1 Define rules
Non-legal regulations
imposed by schools/families/sporting associations/clubs
Apply only to people directly involved
Many not attract serious penalties if broken
4.2.1 Define laws
System of rules/guidelines, enforced through social institutions to govern behaviour
4.2.1 Identify who creates laws
Made by governments, specifically, their legislatures
4.2.1 IDENTIFY what document influences what laws can be formed
A constitution, written or unwritten, and the rights encoded therein
4.2.1 Identify what the law does
Law shapes politics, economics, society in countless ways
Serves as social mediator of relations between people
4.2.2 Define anarchy
A state of lawlessness; a community or society in which there is no order or law enforced.
4.2.2 Identify what would occur in the absence of laws
Confusion and chaos; in extreme cases, anarchy would develop
4.2.2 Identify what would happen to the weak if anarchy occured
The person with the most strength would start to dominate, and the weak and helpless would suffer
4.2.2 List the four main roles of law
Establish boundaries
Protection
Freedom
Resolving disputes
4.2.2 Outline ‘Establish Boundaries’ as one of the four main roles of law
Law establishes boundaries of acceptable behaviour, and which actions will not be tolerated
4.2.2 Give an example of how the law ‘Establishes Boundaries’ as one of the four main roles of law
Eg. Drink/Drug Driving laws, reflect societies attitude concerning the unacceptable risk that other road users face due to actions of others willing to drive intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
4.2.2 Outline ‘Protection’ as one of the four main roles of law
Law provides protection from actions of others as well as our own behaviour, does this by telling people what they cannot do, restricting freedom of individuals but providing safety for all people in society
4.2.2 Give an example of how the law ‘protects’ as one of the four main roles of law
Eg. cannot commit assault/murder/robbery;
cannot drive drunk/ride bike without helmet
4.2.2 Outline ‘Freedom’ as one of the four main roles of law
Law grants freedom to do many things by telling people what they can do.
Also laws give freedom to live our lives without fear of lawlessness negatively impacting us
4.2.2 Give an example of how the law grants ‘freedom’ as one of the four main roles of law
Eg. allows us to own and operate business, drive a car, get married or divorced
4.2.2 Outline ‘Resolving Disputes’ as one of the four main roles of law
Resolving disputes through law stops people from taking law into their own hands
4.2.2 Identify how the legal system enforces and administers the law
legal system provides police force, court systems and correctional centres to enforce and administer the law
4.2.2 Define separation of powers
government ensures our court system operates independently from political influence, so citizens can trust courts to be beyond reach of political influence and corruption
DEFINE court
a place where people can resolve disputes relating to the law
