1. What is Law?

2. Law (n.)
Rules and regulations made and enforced by government that regulate the conduct of people in a society.

3. “Good” laws To be effective, laws must be… CLEAR CONSISTENT FAIR
Words reflect the intent of the lawmakers
CONSISTENT
FAIR
ENFORCEABLE

4. Reasons for Laws Protect basic human rights Promote fairness
Help resolve conflicts
Promote order and stability
Promote desirable social and economic behavior
Represent the will of the majority
Protect the rights of the minority

5. 1.) Protect basic human rights
Rights EVERY human should have protected
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
Written by United Nations
Not a binding treaty
Agreed to by almost every county in the world, but…

6. Universal declaration of human rights
ALL humans…
Are born free and equal
Have human rights, regardless of gender, skin color, language, religion, status, etc.
Have the right to live, and to live in freedom and safety
Have freedom from slavery
Have freedom from torture
Have a right to a public, impartial trial
Have a right to free speech
Have a right to their religion
…etc

7. 2.) Promote Fairness Voting Rights Act of 1965 Title IX
Affirmative Action

8. 3.) Help resolve conflicts
Creation of a tiered court system
Right to a trial by jury

9. 4.) Promote Order & Stability
Laws against murder
Laws against theft

10. 5.) Promote desirable social & Economic Behavior
Tax exemptions for charities
Financial aid for colleges

11. 6.) Represent the will of the majority
Jim Crow Laws ( )
Prohibition ( )

12. 7.) Protect the rights of the minority
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Affirmative Action
Gay marriage

13. What is a “minority”?
A group that experiences a narrowing of opportunities (success, education, wealth, etc.) that is disproportionately low compared to their numbers in society.
Can be based on…
• Race • Religion • Disability
• Ethnicity • Sexuality • Education
• Gender • Age • Politics

14. Laws are based on values

15. Laws & values Moral Values Right vs. wrong Economic Values
Killing of an enemy
soldier?
Killing in self-defense?
Economic Values
Allocation, preservation, use, and distribution of wealth
Tax benefits to those who have a mortgage
Laws against shoplifting to discourage stealing

16. Laws & values 3. Social Values Issues important to society
Free public education
up to grade 12
Title IX
4. Political Values
Relationship between the gov’t and individuals
“Motor voter” law
Freedom of Speech

17. Laws & Values
Just like the goals of the legal system, the values that guide lawmaking can often overlap
Theft has moral, economic, & political issues tied to it
Values can differ based on region, religion, race, age, etc.
Values, especially social values,
often change
Medical marijuana
Gay marriage
Prohibition ( )

18. Conflict of values
Laws designed to protect certain values may interfere with other important values
USA PATRIOT Act of 2001
NSA PRISM Surveillance Program (Edward Snowden)
Both laws praised for protecting us from terrorist activity
Both laws criticized for making certain searches and electronic eavesdropping easier