http://glasses-justice.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] glasses-justice.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2011-02-17 12:30 pm
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Nation Building and the Origin of Government, Period 5, Class 7, Thursday, 2-17

"It's just before spring break," Alex said, "and I'm going to make you sit and talk about contracts. If any of you out there actually find that to be an enjoyable prospect, then I fear for your sanity, and you would do well in the legal profession."

The two went together well.

"Our country has plenty of citizens in it, and they're going to make arrangements with one another. Private business deals, or social ones, or public ones, either between companies or between a person and a company. Sometimes, these arrangements are formalized into what's called a contract. You both agree to terms, and you sign it, and that makes the contract legal."

Seemed simple enough.

"So let's say you and your neighbor make a contract that you'll mow his lawn every Tuesday, and he'll give you fifty bucks at the end of summer. Every Tuesday, you mow his lawn, like clockwork. And at the end of summer, he tells you that he doesn't have $50, but you did a great job with his lawn, thanks! What now?"

Alex lifted her shoulders. "That's where people generally appeal to a higher authority. If the contract was legally entered, then in some cases, the government will step in to mediate its breakdown. Too much intervention, and you end up with an overly litigious society, where people believe they can sue for damages any time someone hurts their feelings. Too little, and you have citizens and companies both invalidating contracts and taking advantage with no subsequent consequence to them. Is it the government's concern, if your neighbor didn't pay you the $50 you both agreed to? What if it's your employer, who decides not to pay your salary for the past two weeks? What if your friend agrees to buy your new bicycle, but gives you a counterfeit check to pay for it? We don't want to interfere in the free operation of business, but scams and fraud, governments generally do frown upon."

"So." She actually smiled at her students. "Talk to me about contracts, and I might be persuaded to let you go ten minutes early so you can pack. Deal?"