📘 Part 3: Laws, Rules, and Regulations

This episode's vocabulary

Flagrantly (adv) – in a way that is shocking because it is done in a very obvious way and shows no respect for rules or laws. → Example: You're less likely to get a severe punishment for dropping litter compared to flagrantly bullying another student.

Law-abiding (adj) – respectful of the law and obeying it. → Example: We're a pretty law-abiding bunch, and most people follow the rules.

Flout (v) – to intentionally not obey a rule, law, or custom. → Example: Not many people are proud of being seen to flout the various regulations.

Descend into anarchy (phrase) – to fall into a state of disorder due to the absence of authority. → Example: We haven't descended into anarchy yet, so that probably means people are obeying the law.

Conform to norms (verb phrase) – to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour expected by a group or society. → Example: Good behaviour is usually defined as that which conforms to various social norms of respect.

Discourteous (adj) – rude and not considering other people's feelings. → Example: Behaviour is considered good when it is respectful and not discourteous to others.

Tangentially (adv) – in a way that is only slightly connected with the subject being discussed. → Example: It seems likely they'll at least tangentially be aware of the laws.

Charged with an offense (phrase) – to be formally accused of a crime. → Example: A benefit of obeying rules is not being charged with an offense.

Maintain law and order (binomial pair) – to keep a state of peace and obedience to the law. → Example: When everyone accepts the same norms, it becomes easier to maintain law and order.

Breach of the social contract (phrase) – an act of breaking the implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits. → Example: We might lose the benefits of social order if people no longer agree on what constitutes a serious breach of the social contract.

Etiquette (n) – the set of customs and rules for polite behaviour. → Example: Parents can teach children about basic etiquette to help them understand rules.

Faux pas (n) – words or behaviour that are a social mistake or not polite. → Example: They might even tell them what a typical faux pas looks like and how it can be avoided.

Questions and Answers

Maria: What rules should students follow at school?

Rory: Well, ideally, all of them, but in reality, it's probably the ones they consider to have the most value in obeying.

Maria: And can you explain it further?

Rory: Yeah. For example, you're less likely to get a severe punishment or caught for dropping litter compared to flagrantly bullying another student. So you'd probably find the majority choosing to go along with that one most of the time.

Maria: Do people in your country usually obey the law?

Rory: Well, I would certainly say so. We're a pretty law-abiding bunch and not many people are proud of being seen to flout the various rules and regulations. Well, regardless of how many there are, or if they make sense, even.

Maria: And what evidence do you have for that?

Rory: Well, we haven't descended into anarchy yet, so that probably means people are rubbing along quite nicely.

Maria: What kinds of behavior are considered as good behavior?

Rory: I'd imagine the ones that conform to various norms of what's considered respectful or at least not discourteous to others. But that varies based on where you are, doesn't it?

Maria: Has that always been true?

Rory: It must have been, yeah. People have always tried to get along to make society work and they've always varied between groups.

Maria: Do you think children can learn about the law outside of school?

Rory: Probably, yeah. There are things on the news about various rules and regulations all the time, as well as social media. So, assuming they're literate, they'll be able to read and hear about them. And we have almost constant internet access in most places, so they can read up on things there, too.

Maria: And how likely is that?

Rory: I'd say it depends on how closely you follow the news about the law or how much you care about knowing about such things. Most people seem fine with following the rules, though, so it seems likely they'll at least tangentially be aware.

Maria: What are the benefits of obeying rules?

Rory: Well, not being charged with an offense for starters, but if everyone accepts the same behavioral norms, then it becomes easier to maintain law and order and it makes getting things done much easier.

Maria: Do you think that can change in the future?

Rory: Well, the benefits won't, but we will lose them at least in part if people no longer agree on what's acceptable and what constitutes a serious breach of the social contract.

Maria: How can parents teach children to obey rules?

Rory: Well, I suppose they could at least tell them when they're being ignorant of basic etiquette and putting a foot in it, at least on reflection. If they do a good job of it, they might even tell them about what a typical faux pas or what typical faux pas look like, and how they might be avoided or how to get away with being a bit cheeky instead of downright rude.

Maria: And will that also be true in the future?

Rory: That's hard to say. Being a parent and raising a family is becoming increasingly difficult for a lot of people, but assuming parents are invested in their children's success, then it's likely to continue, yes.