What is law? (as an introduction to Basic course of Legal English for Chinese college students)
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Welcome to Legal English! Today we begin with a fundamental question: What is law? Law is a system of rules created and enforced by the state or government. These rules regulate how people behave within society, ensuring order and protecting everyone's rights.
Laws are created and enforced by the state through three main branches of government. The legislative branch, such as parliament or congress, makes the laws. The executive branch, including police and government agencies, enforces these laws. Finally, the judicial branch, consisting of courts and judges, interprets the laws and ensures they are applied fairly.
Law serves four primary functions in society. First, it regulates behavior by setting standards for what people can and cannot do. Second, it maintains social order by providing a framework for peaceful coexistence. Third, it resolves disputes by offering legal procedures to settle conflicts. Finally, it protects individual rights and freedoms, ensuring everyone is treated fairly under the law.
A crucial characteristic of law is that legal rules are binding on everyone. This means all people must follow the law, regardless of their position in society. Ignorance of the law is not accepted as an excuse for breaking it. When someone violates the law, there are real consequences such as fines, imprisonment, or other forms of punishment. This binding nature ensures that laws have the power to maintain order and justice in society.
To summarize our introduction to law: Law is a comprehensive system of rules that are created and enforced by the government. Its primary purpose is to regulate human behavior within society. These legal rules are binding on all members of society, regardless of their status or position. Law serves essential functions including maintaining social order, resolving disputes peacefully, and protecting individual rights and freedoms. Understanding these fundamental concepts of law is crucial for anyone studying Legal English, as they form the foundation for more advanced legal topics we will explore in future lessons.