CHAPTER FOURTEEN: CONCLUSION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• To pull together many of the concepts of law studied throughout the textbook
• To understand that a person’s opinion of law depends on whether it is seen as a protector
or oppressor
• To understand the political nature of law
• To understand how economics affects how the law is made
CHAPTER SUMMARY
This chapter is designed to bring American Law and Legal Systems full circle in the sense
of returning to some of the topics presented in Chapter One. The theme that dominates the
chapter is that law is not neutral but a product of the social, economic and political environment.
How law is manipulated by the various interests that seek to control the letter and interpretation
of the law is of interest to anyone who would understand the role of law in society.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
I. Introduction
II. Law as Protector and Oppressor
III. Law and Politics
IV. Law and Society
V. Law and Economics
VI. Final Reflections
TERMS/CONCEPTS/PEOPLE
Law as protector Law as oppressor
Shepherd and wolf analogy Law School Admission Test
Gideon v. Wainwright Tort reform
CHAPTER TEST QUESTIONS
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The use of the cloud analogy in the text is designed to make the reader:
A. Wish to be outside on a nice day;
B. Aware that law, like a cloud, takes shape in the mind of the observer;
C. Aware that law, like a cloud, has little substance;
D. All the above;
E. None of the above.
2. Lincoln’s wolf-shepherd-sheep analogy illustrates that law:
A. Is a tool of capitalism;
B. Is viewed by everyone the same way;
C. Can be viewed as both a protector of rights and an oppressor of rights;
D. Is neutral in how it affects people;
E. None of the above.
3. Understanding the relationship between law and politics is important because:
A. Many elected political officials who make our laws are trained in the law;
B. No one untrained in the law can truly understand politics;
C. The best politicians are always lawyers;
D. All the above;
E. None of the above.
4. Perhaps the best example of how changes in the law are affected by changes in society can be
seen in how the law:
A. Treats the rights of those accused of crimes;
B. Treats children;
C. Treats women;
D. Treats the rights of African-Americans;
E. None of the above.
5. Which of the following best describes the views of your authors on the nature of the law?
A. Law is ultimately a source of evil but remains a necessary evil;
B. Law is fashioned by an “invisible hand” that protects us from evil;
C. Law is totally neutral in terms of its enactment and effects on people;
D. Law is amoral;
E. Law is an evolving and constantly changing concept.
Essay Questions
1. Briefly explain how interest groups manipulate the legal system to further their own economic interests.
2. Using driving under the influence as an example, explain how the law has changed toward persons charged
with driving under the influence (DUI) in the last 20 years.
3. Explain why there is such a close connection between law and the study of politics.