Why people obey the laws of the state

WHY PEOPLE OBEY THE LAWS OF THE STATE

There are several reasons why people obey the laws of the state.

Law abiding family

Some people come from families that are naturally law-abiding. They come from a long line of grandparents and parents who have respect for law and authority. Obeying the laws of the state is an offshoot of that family tradition so it is easy for them to obey the laws of their land.

Moral Obligation

One major function of the state is to protect the rights, properties, etc of citizens, and also to provide them with certain essential facilities. In return, it is just appropriate for the citizens to reciprocate the government by obeying the laws of the state.

The fear of punishment

Some citizens obey the laws of the state because of the fear of being sanctioned when caught. The state has the power to compel anybody to obey the law if that individual chooses to disobey the laws or punish the culprit using the court system. So for fear of punishment, some citizens are compelled to obey the law.

Public Interest

Some obey the law because they assume, and rightly so, that the laws are made for the general good of everybody in the state. For this reason, they just naturally obey the law.

Religious Reasons

Religious people obey the laws of the state because they are taught to do so by their sacred books. Christians, for example, are taught to obey every authority that is on earth because it was instituted by God. In Hebrews 13:17, the Bible says, “Obey them that have rule over you….” If they obey this scripture, they will obey the laws of the state.

Loyalty to Government

When people obey the laws of the state, it shows that they are loyal. It is a good thing to be loyal to the state. In addition, it gives the government of the day legitimacy.

Ensures Stability

Stability is made possible when people obey the laws of the land. One important law of the land is the law concerning treason. When citizens obey this particular law, it means nobody would take up arms to overthrow the sitting government.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1. a. Define a state.

    b. Explain five reasons why people obey the laws of the state.

2. a. Who is a citizen?

    b. What five reasons do citizens give for obeying the laws of the state?

3. Give six reasons why people obey the state.

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