Law/421 Role and Functions of Law

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Role and Functions of Law LAW/421 Contemporary Business Law Role and Functions of Law In society law functions to maintain social control and to protect the public at large by resolving disputes in a peaceful and reasonable manner. Laws are made to facilitate organized change by creating acceptable processes that can facilitate and lead to change. The Constitution outlines the power of the federal government which only has limited powers; to regulate individuals and businesses; and states are left with more inherent powers to protect their citizens. The Constitution of the United States was designed to have three general functions that include establishing a structure for the federal government and rules for amending the constitution, granting powers for different branches of government, and to provide procedural protections for US from wrongful government action. The Constitution is composed of a preamble, seven articles and twenty seven amendments. The preamble specifies the Constitutions broad objectives e.g. justice, liberty, tranquility, and common defense. The articles outline the structure, power and procedure of the federal government. Overtime the Constitution has been amended and thus the amendments have been established to further protect citizens from unlawful or repressive acts of government (Bill of Rights are included in the first ten amendments and were established in 1791). Inasmuch, the limited powers have been granted to the three branches of government (Executive, Legislative and Judicial) known as enumerated powers. Primary powers of government have been given to Congress; Congress has enumerated powers in 18 different clauses. The powers that generally impact business owners and managers include (1) the power to regulate commerce ( Commerce Clause ); (2) taxing the citizenry and commercial entities and spending government funds
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