I am writing a paper on legal systems in the world. The paper has to be on one country's legal system besides the United States. I was wondering if you guys would help me select a country to choose from. I would like a variety of choices so if you post a country I would like some facts and opinions why you think it's a good country to write about, their legal system that is. I would like for there to be a lot of resources on the net where I could look and find out more about the country's legal system too. Thanks for your help. * The reason I posted in D&D is because with different opinions coming in about world legal systems there's bound to be an argument.
i think it would be interesting to choose Iran..because it's a theocracy. would give you a great appreciation for our own legal system, i think!
The natural comparison is to pick a civil law country (France, Spain, most W. European ones) and compare it to the US (common law system). That way it is more of a legal comparison than a political one. However even common law countries (US & Britain) have vastly differrent rules, so its hard to lose in this instance.
I'd pick Louisiana. No really, you might have to get a waiver from the prof since it is not actually another country, but it's does have some peculiarities being the only state that originated under the Napoleonic code. And there would be lots of data..in english.
I've worked on an LA based case or two; while the heritage is different of course, given the reliance of many other states on statutory law anyway, in practice those differences don't work out to that much in my experience and tends to be a bit overblown, with the exception of a few obscure areas.
I would pick a former English colony simply because the material will be in English. Unless you're pretty good with a second language that could help you go further afield. In college I did Soviet history without speaking any Russian, and it hurt me when it came to research. The drawback of English-speaking countries is that many of them will preserve the English legal tradition. So, a country with other powerful influences besides the English would be interesting. I think South Africa might be interesting in that regard, with the Dutch influence and a strong native culture. Singapore would also be cool, imo, because of its rep of being so law-abiding and strict.
I like the Iran idea Max, any sources of info on the subject? Please, continue posting your thoughts though people and thanks!
That was the first thought that crossed my mind too, although it is not nearly as different as it was 20 years ago. [Pipe breaks out into a sweat remembering reading Chattel Mortgages] India might be interesting (based on English common law). Or, for something totally different, Saudi Arabia.
How about Israel? "The Israeli legal system, although Western in culture, belongs neither to the Common Law nor to the Civil Law families of legal systems. Rather it is characterized as belonging to the family of mixed jurisdictions. The history of Israel explains the reasons for the hybrid nature of the system." -The Absence of a Single-Document Written Constitution -Supremacy of the Law -Central Status for the Judiciary -Limited Applicability of Religious Law
Personally, I'm fascinated with the Rise and Fall of Communism in Russia. IMO, Marxist theories are sound, and will ultimately be the ideal form of Government. However, Russia tried to implement it way too early, and it backfired. In 100 years, America will be trying a Marxist form of Gov't. It's the natural progression after too much corruption in Capitalism leads to revolt.
the only problem is...corruption doesn't care if your capitalist or communist...it finds a way. the class strata in countries that have tried maxism makes us look like a level-playing field...particularly so in the old USSR.
True, but that is why Marxism is built. Everyone is on a level playing field, economically speaking, and true power comes from your "status" among your peers. The assumption is that everyone has everything they need, and this can only come from a very wealthy economic country. Russia tried to "fake it till they made it" and it collapsed. I'm not saying it can't be corrupted, but it would be incredibly easy to notice the corruption if everyone else is on a level playing field. At least, that's how the theory goes...
Marxism also assumes that materialism is of little to no value, due to everyone having what they need. ie: Everyone lives in a nice 4 bedroom house with a Lexus for everyone over the age of sixteen, with retirement fully paid for at age 60. Someone starts having 10 houses, with 5 lexuses per person, and retires at 30, and it is obvious they are doing something wrong.
you're talking about a change in human character...a change in man's innate desire to take care of himself first, and worry about others later. that's awesome. i wish it were so. i don't think you can push it into being with a government, though. the corruption and greed never goes away. power has to be concentrated at the top to make it work...and those with that power will abuse it. they always have. they always will.
What does Marxist Utopianism have to do with this thread? Is it simply because a D&D thread needs to stir up more trouble than this one can muster?
the answer to both of your questions is yes....though i realize the first question is not a yes/no question. how is the answer, then, yes, you ask? the answer to that question, of course, is yes.
He was asking about... wait... DAMNIT! He was asking about different legal systems. I misinterpreted what his paper was on. And I see no animosity here, either. Max; We are both right. At least I think we are. No government could operate in a Marxist government now. Capitalism is King. In theory: Capitalism gets replaced by Socialism which gets replaced by Marxism. All have to run their full course. The time-horizon could be 100-500 or more years from now. But I do agree with this concept.
