310 Society and Beliefs
DO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES HAVE DIFFERENT LAWS?
Because law-making is part of national politics, most countries have quite different
laws. But there are also many similarities. English-speaking countries around
the world share ideas laid down in the common law of Britain. French-speaking
countries share parts of the law codes set down in France by Napoleon. There
are also international agreements that many countries treat as laws, such as those
to do with human rights.Laws are the formal rules that society makes for itself.
They are made for various reasons: for example, to
settle arguments and maintain a peaceful social order.
Some laws are made by governments. Others are set
down by custom or religion.
WHO MAKES THE LAW IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY?
In a democracy, the power to make laws is held by a branch of the government
called the legislature. In the legislative chamber, politicians (usually elected to
represent the views of the voters) introduce new laws and debate them. Through
discussion and compromise, they try to gain support for a law and organize a vote
on it. The majority of members must approve a law before it can be put into effect.HOW IS CRIMINAL LAW DIFFERENT TO CIVIL LAW?
Criminal law defines a person’s responsibility towards
society as a whole. Breaking a criminal law is an
offence against the public good, so the state pursues
criminals in the name of the public. Civil law deals
with a person’s responsibility towards another person.
Civil laws cover agreements between people such as
property ownership, contracts, or marriage.CAN POLITICIANS MAKE ANY LAW THEY LIKE?
Politicians in different countries have different
law-making powers. In some cases, a head of state
can refuse to accept a law. Sometimes, political leaders
may put forward a law that would weaken rights or
freedoms that have been promised to all citizens. Such
laws can be challenged by citizens in. COURT.WHY DO PEOPLE OBEY THE LAW?
Most people obey the law because they believe it
results in a peaceful society. The law is enforced by
the. POLICE. The risk of being caught by the police
and punished reminds most people to obey the law.
But some political activists deliberately break laws they
disagree with – an act called “civil disobedience”.US SUPREME COURT 3
Most countries have a high
court to make decisions about
its most important legal
problems. In the USA, the
Supreme Court is made up of
nine justices. The justices hear an
average of 6,500 cases a year,
mostly appeals from lower
courts. A majority vote decides
the outcome of each case.THE LAW
1 A SYMBOL OF JUSTICE
Law courts across the world
feature images of the Greek
goddess Themis (“Justicia”, in
Roman religion), goddess of
justice. Themis is always seen
holding the scales of justice.Blindfold protects
from the risk
of prejudiceSword
represents
punishment
for the guiltyScales help to
weigh both
sides of a
dispute fairly