Laws should provide objective standards of behavior for a civilization. With laws in place, the governing body of the civilization can punish actions that are clearly out of line with what the law states. Ideally, laws keep citizens in check for their own safety, as well as the safety of other citizens around them. For example, laws against violence or laws related to driving are in place to protect citizens. Laws can also be established to formalize procedures for how certain things should be done, such as declaring war or even making other laws.
Depending upon the governmental setup, the people of a civilization may have more or less say in what standards become law. For instance, in Ancient Greece, Athenians had a pure democracy in which all citizens could vote for or against governmental ideas. Conversely, many past monarchies functioned by allowing only the reigning monarch to make final decisions. The way in which a civilization approaches the question of how to create and ratify laws can make a large difference in how those laws are perceived by the people.
Laws provide a sense of order and structure for civilization. The laws convey a message about what behaviors and actions are and are not acceptable. Without laws, people might feel they can do whatever they want, regardless of the impact of their actions on others.
By passing laws, people should feel more safe and secure. Laws protect people’s property. For example, laws make stealing the property of others illegal. Laws also work to ensure our safety. We pass laws regulating how fast people can drive. Some laws regulate the actions of businesses to help keep workers and the public safe. Examples include laws dealing with pollution and laws regarding safety regulations in factories. Laws also protect our rights. For example, laws have been passed making discrimination illegal. These laws try to ensure that people are treated equally.
Without laws, the world would be a chaotic place where people would feel they could do anything they wanted to do without considering how their actions may impact other people.
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