CONTENT STATEMENT
- Laws can protect rights, provide benefits, and assign responsibilities.
CONTENT ELABORATION
Laws in a democratic society establish rule and order. Laws are established by governments to protect rights. Some of these rights include:
- religion;
- speech;
- press;
- petition; and
- assembly.
Benefits provided to citizens by laws include:
- providing order in daily life (traffic laws);
- protecting property (outlawing theft);
- providing public education (school laws); and
- protecting rights (freedom of speech).
Responsibilities assigned to citizens by laws include:
- paying taxes;
- serving on juries; and
- obtaining licenses.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Describe ways in which laws protect rights, provide benefits, and assign responsibilities to citizens.