What is the role of law in democratic political systems? Explain the features of the American legal tradition and how this tradition differs from the legal traditions of other countries.

What will be an ideal response?

(1) laws provide security, (2) laws provide predictability, (3) laws allow for conflict resolution, (4) laws reflect and enforce conformity to society’s values, and (5) laws distribute the benefits and rewards society has to offer while allocating the costs of those good things. For the second part of the question, students should explain the United States’ common-law tradition and adversarial system and compare them to the civil-law tradition and inquisitorial systems of other countries. Strong answers will also mention that the United States has a litigious system and explain the controversy surrounding whether the United States is more litigious than other countries.