The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Natural law is the philosophy that certain rights, moral values, and responsibilities are inherent in human nature, and that those rights can be understood through simple reasoning. In other words, they just make sense when you consider the nature of humanity. Throughout history, the phrase “natural law” has had to do with determining how humans should behave morally. The law […]
Read moreThe Pendleton Act of 1883 is a federal law enacted by the United States, which established that federal government positions should be awarded to candidates based on their merit, not based on with which party their political affiliations lie. To that end, the Act set up a system of civil service exams, in order to limit considerations of political affiliations […]
Read moreSomeone’s nationality is their legal relationship to a particular country, in which a person is either born, or because his or her parents are citizens of that country. It is the country that has jurisdiction over that person, the country that is legally responsible for protecting him or her for as long as he or she remains under its jurisdiction. […]
Read moreA monarchy is a form of government wherein a group which is usually a family (referred to as a “dynasty”) heads up the country, and a monarch (the head of state) is put in charge. An example of a monarchy is that which presently rules over Britain and is headed up by the Queen Elizabeth II. A monarch’s power can […]
Read moreA market economy is an economy in which decisions regarding the methods for carrying out investment, production, and distribution are based on supply and demand, which in turn influences the prices of goods and services. Market economies can be immediately recognized by the fact that all of the investment decisions and the allocation of goods are made via negotiations between […]
Read moreMercantilism, which existed primarily during the 16th through 18th centuries in Europe, was an economic system founded on the belief that the government should encourage trade as a means to generate wealth for the country. Wealth was amassed by exporting more goods to other countries than the nation imported. A high import was placed on building up sums of gold, […]
Read moreThe term narcotic refers to any medication or drug that tends to dull the senses, such as opioids, anti-anxiety medications, and marijuana. In a law enforcement context, the term has taken on an inaccurate definition with negative connotations, as it is used to signify any drug or substance that cannot be legally transported, sold, or possessed. These include such substances […]
Read moreThe term monopoly refers to a situation in which a single person or organization is the only supplier of a particular commodity or service. In order for a monopoly to exist, there must be a lack of competition in the production of the good or offering of the service, as well as a lack of legitimate alternatives to the product […]
Read moreIn the United States’ legal system, a motion is a formal request for the court to make a decision about something related to a case. Motions can be made for a wide variety of purposes, such as to have a trial postponed, to have a previously made order modified, to sanction (or punish) an attorney, or even to have the […]
Read moreThe term liability refers to a broad spectrum of things a person may be held responsible for. This may be a legal liability, a financial liability, or other responsibility. An example of liability includes the legal obligation to pay a debt, or to pay for damages an individual has caused someone else. Liabilities are also counted in finances as debits […]
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