Материал к уроку по теме «Why do we need law?» для обучающихся СПО по специальности 40.02.04 Юриспруденция

1. Read the text and do tasks.

Why do We Need Law?

Almost everything we do is governed by some set of rules. There are rules for games, for social clubs, for sports and for adults in the workplace. There are also rules imposed by morality and custom that play an important role in telling us what we should and should not do.

However, some rules – those made by the state or the courts – are called «laws». Laws resemble morality because they are designed to control or alter our behaviour. But unlike rules of morality, laws are enforced by the courts; if you break a law – whether you like that law or not – you may be forced to pay a fine, pay damages, or go to prison.

Why are some rules so special that they are made into laws? Why do we need rules that everyone must obey? In short, what is the purpose of law?

If we did not live in a structured society with other people, laws would not be necessary. We would simply do as we please, with little regard for others. But ever since individuals began to associate with other people – to live in society – laws have been the glue that has kept society together. For example, the law in our country states that we must drive our cars on the right-hand side of a two-way street. If people were allowed to choose at random which side of the street to drive on, driving would be dangerous and chaotic. Laws against criminal conduct help to safeguard our personal property and our lives.

Even in a well-ordered society, people have disagreements and conflicts arise. The law must provide a way to resolve these disputes peacefully. If two people claim to own the same piece of property, we do not want the matter settled by a duel: we turn to the law and to institutions like the courts to decide who is the real owner and to make sure that the real owner`s rights are respected.

We need law, then, to ensure a safe and peaceful society in which individuals` rights are respected. But we expect even more from our law.

Some totalitarian governments have cruel and arbitrary laws, enforced by individuals do not use their powerful positions in society to take unfair advantage of weaker individuals.

However, despite the best intentions, laws are sometimes created so that people later recognize as being unjust or unfair. In a democratic society, laws are not carved in stone, but must reflect the changing needs of society. In a democracy, anyone who feels that a particular law is flawed has the right to speak out publicly and to seek to change the law by lawful means. Police forces free to arrest and punish people without trial. Strong-arm tactics may provide a great deal of order, but we reject this form of control.

The legal system should respect individual rights while, at the same time, ensuring that society operates in an orderly manner. And society should believe in the Rule of Law, which means that the law applies to every person, including members of the police and other public officials, who must carry out their public duties in accordance with the law.

In our society laws are not only designed to govern our conduct: they are also intended to give effect to social policies. For example, some laws provide for benefits when workers are injured on the job, for health care, as well as for loans to students who otherwise might not be able to go to university.

Another goal of the law is fairness. This means that the law should recognize and protect certain basic individual rights and freedoms, such as liberty and equality. The law also serves to ensure that strong groups and

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3. Choose the right variant.

1. Almost everything we do is governed:

a) by rules imposed by morality;

b) the courts;

c) some set of rules;

d) customs and traditions.

2. If we didn`t live in a structured society with other people:

a) we would simply do as we please;

b) we would simply do with little regard for others;

c) Law enforcement bodies would arrest and punish people without trial;

d) laws would not be necessary.

3. Laws against criminal conduct help:

a) to protect our property;

b) to take advantage of other individuals;

c) to safeguard our personal property and our lives;

d) to protect basic individual rights and freedoms.

4. We turn to the law:

a) to resolve disputes peacefully;

b) to decide who is the real owner;

c) to have disagreements and conflicts;

d) to force people to keep their promises.

5. Another goal of the law is:

a) to protect certain basic individual rights and freedoms;

b) fairness;

c) to seek to change the law by lawful means;

d) to provide for benefits.

4. Answer the questions.

1. What kind of society do we live in?

2. What is the society governed by?

3. What is the difference between laws and rules of morality?

4. Why do rules of morality and custom play an important role in our life?

5. Why are laws designed to control our behaviour?

6. What are the goals of law?

7. When do people turn to the law?

8. Why do we need law?

Адрес публикации: https://www.prodlenka.org/metodicheskie-razrabotki/641469-material-k-uroku-po-teme-why-do-we-need-law-d