Why do we need laws?Learning Objectives

To understand that different people and groups may have different perspectives on global issues To identify and describe a range of perspectives on a few global issues

The aim of the session is to consider the need for laws to regulate people in groups and preserve social order and control. The effect of social, cultural and historical contexts on laws and what is regarded as deviant should be explored as well.

Tengri NewsCar crashes into kiosk with woman sleeping inside Tuesday, 25.03.2014, 23:54

A car accident involving a sleeping woman, drunk man, crushed car and ruined kiosk has happened at the crossing of Shalyapin and Altynsarin streets in Almaty, Tengrinews reports citing STV Channel. 

The accident took place at around 01:00 a.m. on March 20. According to witnesses, a Toyota Aristo with several young men inside was driving to the east down Shalyapin Str. For some reason the driver lost control of the car and crashed right into a roadside kiosk at full speed. The car flipped over and the kiosk nearly collapsed.

There was an elderly woman, the seller working at the 24/7 kiosk, inside. She was asleep and the accident caught her completely unaware. By a sheer luck the woman was not killed by the car, but she still got a lot of various injuries and was taken to a hospital.

One of the man who was inside the car was also injured. It is unclear whether he was the one who was driving or one of the passengers. He was taken to the hospital as well.

Witnesses said that whoever was driving that car was clearly drunk and that was what caused him to loose control. 

What is this story about?

What are two perspectives?

Who are the people involved?

Why is it important?

Is there any evidence of a crime?

Learners work in groups of four to consider ethical and legal dilemmas. The group should discuss:

– What is the ethical dilemma?– What are the different actions that could be taken?– What factors need to be considered?– Is there further information and research that could help

learners in deciding what to do?– How should a decision be taken?– What would the group do?

Each group will report their decision.

A simple decision making model

1. clarify the situation to ensure all aspects are understood2. identify possible courses of action3. research information that may be relevant or seek advice4. list arguments for and against each course of action5. list the implications or possible consequences of each course of action6. make the decision and act7. evaluate the outcomes, review and adjust action if appropriate

Use this model to make a decision about action for the first news article.

Another IssueOn November 23, 2013 at 5 a.m., a Mercedes driving at an extremely high speed crushed into a BMW-7 on the crossing of Seifullin street and Republic avenue in Astana. A police patrol sergeant Berik Tasybaev was driving the Mercedes. Another policeman was driving the BMW-7. As a result both, the passenger and the policemen driving the BMW, died. A video from a surveillance camera shows that the Mercedes was racing with another car which resulted in over-speeding. 

The Head of the DIA press office Sofya Kylyshbekova gave details of the unfortunate case to a TengrinewsTV reporter. Ms. Kylyshbekova confirmed the involvement of a police patrol sergeant Berik Tasybaev from the Astana DIA. Sobriety test revealed that Mr. Tasybayev, who was driving the racing Mercedes was under the influence of alcohol during the car accident. 

He had been working in the Traffic Police since December of 2012, but was off duty when he made the tragic accident. After the accident he was fired from the police for discrediting the law enforcement forces. 

The criminal case over the deadly car accident that claimed the lives of two people in Astana is already being heard by the court. The hearings started on March 4, 2014. The criminal case against Mr. Tasybayev is over Traffic violation and reckless driving that lead to the death of two or more people (Article 296 part 3 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan). The former policeman is now facing from 5 to 10 years in prison.

Another Issue

Working in pairs, use the model to make a decision about what to do.

The decision should be noted and explained, perhaps using a flow diagram to record the stages of the decision making process.

Should the decisions and action be different for each case.

Issue 3Recalled GM cars linked to 303 airbag-related deaths Friday, 14.03.2014, 12:31 ©Reuters/Jeff Kowalsky

US safety regulators have tracked 303 deaths after airbags failed to properly deploy in vehicles recently recalled by General Motors, AFP reports according to the consumer watchdog group.

GM is currently at the center of multiple investigations by US authorities because it was too slow to react to a defective ignition switch it linked to 31 accidents and 12 deaths in its 2005-7 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2003-7 Saturn Ion models.

The problem was detected as early as 2001, but GM waited until last month to recall 1.62 million vehicles in two stages in North America.

And two years later a service technician experienced the same problem that hundreds of drivers later experienced, a stall while driving related to a heavy keyring moving the ignition position.

That raised questions about why it took the US auto giant until last month to issue a recall and why the NHTSA did not act, despite being aware of complaints that the ignition would turn off while the car was in motion.

This shutdown would also turn off a car's electrical systems, preventing airbags from deploying in the case of an accident

Individually learners choose one of the incidents and dilemmas. From the perspective of two different characters write a justification for two different courses of action. Learners must ensure that the legal elements of the situation are discussed.