Laws are in place to protect people against harm, according to civil liberties expert Tom Head for About.com. Societal rules also prevent vulnerable people from being exploited, and laws safeguard personal property. Laws also exist for granting goods and services to citizens.Know More
Head notes that laws protecting citizens fall under the Harm Principle. Parental Principle laws are meant to stop people from harming themselves. They include protecting children from harm and banning certain forms of drugs. Laws under the Statist Principle preserve the integrity and cohesion of the state to maintain order. These laws include penalties for espionage or treason. Certain groups or corporations can benefit from the Donation Principle, but these same laws also punish corporate actions.
Wanda Thibodeaux for the Houston Chronicle notes the importance of laws in the workplace. Workplace laws safeguard employees against abuse and discrimination by employers. Employees are also given a safe place to work and just compensation. Laws also secure an employer's chances of making a profit and staying competitive. Labor laws benefit the economy by giving workers enough purchasing power to boost an economy. These laws also reflect the values of a given society. For example, child labor laws exist under the belief that kids should not be abused and overworked by employers. Laws against discrimination express a society's view that everyone is entitled to equal opportunity.Learn more about Law
The neighbor principle is a principle that exists under English law, which states that people should do whatever they can to avoid injury or harm to those people who might be directly and intimately affected by their actions. This principle is said to be based on the popular saying, "Love thy neighbor."Full Answer >
A domestic violence law is any statute that punishes people who cause physical or emotional harm to family members or anyone they share a close relationship with, says HG.org. The majority of domestic violence cases are prosecuted under state law, but federal legislation also makes domestic violence a crime.Full Answer >
By providing rules and regulations for what citizens can and cannot do, laws play a big part in defining the cultural expectations of a society. The World Justice Project states that the rule of law protects rights, limits corruption, and handles civil and criminal infractions.Full Answer >
Rules and laws serve many purposes necessary for a thriving society, including the punishment of wrongdoers, the resolution of disputes, the promotion of the common good and moral habituation. The fact that every organized social institution, including families, schools and countries, have recognized rules shows humans' dependence on established codes of conduct.Full Answer >