Claire Armstrong
Student number: 11836237
Skills course for law students (SCL1501)
Assignment 01
Due: 03 May 2021
, Claire Armstrong Assignment 01 SCL1501
11836237 03 May 2021
QUESTION 1
Law can be seen as a system of rules, but not all rules are law. Law is different from
social rules or norms because it is determined by the state and not by religion, sporting
codes or science. It is meant to control human behaviour in society and it is
enforceable. When a person breaks the law or goes against it, he/she can be punished
by a state organ. Whereas in social norms or rules, laws of nature, sporting rules,
scientific rules and military rules, you can’t be punished by the state but rather be
judged. For example, being sent off in a football game or suspended from school for
bad behaviour. The law not only governs human behaviour and control societies but
also protects our human rights. The law is in place to create and maintain law and
order.
QUESTION 2
2.1) “State” can be seen as a made-up or imaginary entity which us as legal subjects
fully entrusts our existence, power and resources in. It is what controls human
behaviour by means of the law. The state also possesses over a certain amount of
power which is used to run the country in such a way that we as the people have
everything they need to survive. The state is also responsible to prosecute or punish
any person who puts the lives of others in danger. Therefor the state enforces the law
and has the authority to punish anyone who disobeys it.
It can be said that the citizens of a country have a deemed agreement or social
contract with the state. Citizens follow the law (rules set out by the state) and pays tax
to the state in return for services from the state like municipality services, police
services, fire department services, certain educational services and some medical
services. The citizens of the country also expect the state to look out for their interests
and keep them safe. In the light of the above we can say that the citizens or legal
subjects of a country fully trust the state to act on behalf of them and to enforce law
and order/peace.
2.2) The South African law serves all citizens of South Africa. It creates and maintains
peace and order by balancing the interests of the individual and those of the larger
2
Student number: 11836237
Skills course for law students (SCL1501)
Assignment 01
Due: 03 May 2021
, Claire Armstrong Assignment 01 SCL1501
11836237 03 May 2021
QUESTION 1
Law can be seen as a system of rules, but not all rules are law. Law is different from
social rules or norms because it is determined by the state and not by religion, sporting
codes or science. It is meant to control human behaviour in society and it is
enforceable. When a person breaks the law or goes against it, he/she can be punished
by a state organ. Whereas in social norms or rules, laws of nature, sporting rules,
scientific rules and military rules, you can’t be punished by the state but rather be
judged. For example, being sent off in a football game or suspended from school for
bad behaviour. The law not only governs human behaviour and control societies but
also protects our human rights. The law is in place to create and maintain law and
order.
QUESTION 2
2.1) “State” can be seen as a made-up or imaginary entity which us as legal subjects
fully entrusts our existence, power and resources in. It is what controls human
behaviour by means of the law. The state also possesses over a certain amount of
power which is used to run the country in such a way that we as the people have
everything they need to survive. The state is also responsible to prosecute or punish
any person who puts the lives of others in danger. Therefor the state enforces the law
and has the authority to punish anyone who disobeys it.
It can be said that the citizens of a country have a deemed agreement or social
contract with the state. Citizens follow the law (rules set out by the state) and pays tax
to the state in return for services from the state like municipality services, police
services, fire department services, certain educational services and some medical
services. The citizens of the country also expect the state to look out for their interests
and keep them safe. In the light of the above we can say that the citizens or legal
subjects of a country fully trust the state to act on behalf of them and to enforce law
and order/peace.
2.2) The South African law serves all citizens of South Africa. It creates and maintains
peace and order by balancing the interests of the individual and those of the larger
2
