Concepts, Theories, and Theorists Flashcards
what does our understanding of the law depend on?
PERSPECTIVE and CIRCUMSTANCE
what is the purpose of law?
to BALANCE the INTERESTS of individuals against those of the community, and to UPHOLD SHARED VALUES of a society while RESOLVING CONFLICTS
what concepts are used to form rules and systems?
MENS REA (guilty mind), MOTIVE (reason for an act), INTENT (goal of an act)
how is understanding the state of mind behind a persons actions used?
it can DETERMINE the existence of LIABILITY or CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
what is the essence (purpose/ goal, what it encompasses) of law?
understanding the RELATIONSHIP between certain SIMILAR, BUT DIFFERENT, LEGAL CONCEPTS
what is democracy?
a FORM of GOVERNMENT in which the POWER RESIDES IN (and is exercised by) the PEOPLE through a SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATION
what is the issue with representation within democracy?
representatives CANNOT REPRESENT EVERYONE, there will be people who did not vote for them, they must try and balance how they represent (will lean towards who voted for them)
what is sovereignty?
PRINCIPLE that nation-states are free to IMPOSE whatever LAWS THEY CHOOSE (within their own BOUNDARIES). at the FEDERAL level
what is a nation-state?
SOCIETY with defined BOUNDARIES and LAWS
how did the UN change sovereignty?
LIMITING SOVEREIGN POWER of nation-states that agreed to membership. idea that INTERNATIONAL LAW could be used to GUARANTEE individuals RIGHTS AGAINST ABUSE
what is jurisdiction?
the LIMITS within which POWER or AUTHORITY may be EXECUTED and ENFORCED (more limited than sovereignty, can be at different levels and geographic limits: school boards)
what is power?
the ABILITY to ACT, or REFRAIN FROM ACTING (the “power” to go to the bathroom). teachers are given authority, students are the ones who give them the power. POWER is derived from LEGAL AUTHORITY, but can be obtained without it
what is authority?
the LEGAL RIGHT to do something (you do not have the “authority” to go to the bathroom). teachers are given authority, students are the ones who give them the power. POWER is derived from LEGAL AUTHORITY, but can be obtained without it
what is legitimacy?
something LAWFUL or RECOGNIZED by LAW, the lawful right to inherit either property or title (ex. legitimate heir/ next of kin, teacher vs substitute)
what is ownership?
one who has LEGAL TITLE to a property or possession, the LEGITIMATE OWNER