Becoming educated in "law" and "politics" - wondering where to start? - General

I'm going to be starting university next year, going for a Commerce degree (Business, with a major in accounting and management economics). I've realized in the past month or so that I should have taken time in high school to learn and educate myself about "law" and "politics". I put them in quotations because they are very ambiguous and broad terms. I'm currently taking a Politics course, which focuses on the forms of politics you see (political spectrum, affiliations - conservatism, liberalism, communism, and the left/right-wing standpoints). However, taking law courses which focus actually on codified law, judicial systems and the whole subject as a whole is something I now regret taking. It's too late to start now, because I'm in my last semester of high school. Seeing as I don't really have an option in high school to learn this, I was wondering if anyone knows where I should start to gain knowledge (as well as expand knowledge on politics). I'm probably going to be taking some electives in law and politics next year (if I'm able to), but from now until then, I'd really like to get a general glimpse of the topics. Obviously, some of you will just say "Wikipedia" or "Let me google that for you", and rightly so; however, I believe some of you (judging from SH and Mass Debate) have some sort of background knowledge and could present a good opportunity for me. If any of you have suggested readings (actual books, either online or print) or reputable internet sources, and a spot on where to start, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! P.S. I wasn't sure where to post this, so I posted it in GD. Sorry if it's in the wrong section!

90% of a law degree is tort, so [url=http://scc.lexum.org/en/index.html]start here.[/url]

If you want to keep up to date on world politics, you could get a subscription to The Economist magazine, which is quite renowned and features much more nuanced arguments and articles about current affairs world wide than most daily newspapers.

Thanks for the replies guys. In response to Mlisen, I'm a frequent visitor of our site's Sensationalist Headlines section (I read the serious ones), but I'm so uneducated with many topics covered in the stories that it's hard for me to discern an opinion. I've been trying to read up online about specific issues, and this thread was made to see where/how I can expand my education on the subjects.

start reading books and use Al Jazeera for your news books such as the classics, like the prince, John Locke's two treatises (read them both!), Rousseau's social contract, Mill, Hobbes, everything by Foucault, Francisco De Vitoria and the Colonial Origins of International Law by Anghie, etienne balibar's politics and the other scene, everything by anthony giddens, everything by Rawls, everything by naomi klein, the first two bits of the communist manifesto by marx, and plenty others as you go on, you'll start making links If you're interesting in crime, read the important works of Durkheim (his concept of anomie), Matza and Sykes (neutralization theories), Merton's means/goals discrepancy and subcultural theories, the other subcultural theories by the two I can't remember all that well (Ohlin was one of them?), Hirschi's social control etc. RE: international law and intervention, Anne Orford's book was pretty decent (cited the hell out of it in more than a few essays) the economist is the poster child of neoliberalism read it, but with a critical eye what are you looking for, specifically?

I've actually been learning about Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes and others recently in my politics class and it's quite interesting. Thank you for the suggestions. Specifically, I really want to learn about the philosophy behind politics at its core - as in, things related to what Hobbes, Rousseau and Locke stood for or represented. I find it very interesting looking at the history and philosophy of political science in general.I also find it interesting about things in current events - which is why I visit Al Jazeera and other sites frequently. I am aware of bias in many sites, so I tend to be critical of anything. To be honest, it's hard to pinpoint EXACTLY what specifically I'm looking for, but the above is what I came up with. Politics and law are such broad and vast subjects that while entirely interesting, there's so much to want to learn.

Yeah, it would help to know what side of the political spectrum you stand. I know obviously your views are going to change and evolve over time, especially in your pursuit of knowledge, but, generally - are you politically conversative, or liberal? Moderate? [editline]18th February 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Prez;34752423]I've actually been learning about Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes and others recently in my politics class and it's quite interesting. Thank you for the suggestions.[/QUOTE] It does help to look at the actual material in question, though. I know in my classes we don't have time to do that, and you generally get only a superficial understanding of the material.

Generally I side more with liberalism (more reform liberalism (ie. universal suffrage and equality of opportunity) than classical if it makes a difference), although I try to stay as unbiased as possible. Thanks for the help too.

[QUOTE=Prez;34752423]I've actually been learning about Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes and others recently in my politics class and it's quite interesting. Thank you for the suggestions. Specifically, I really want to learn about the philosophy behind politics at its core - as in, things related to what Hobbes, Rousseau and Locke stood for or represented. I find it very interesting looking at the history and philosophy of political science in general.I also find it interesting about things in current events - which is why I visit Al Jazeera and other sites frequently. I am aware of bias in many sites, so I tend to be critical of anything. To be honest, it's hard to pinpoint EXACTLY what specifically I'm looking for, but the above is what I came up with. Politics and law are such broad and vast subjects that while entirely interesting, there's so much to want to learn.[/QUOTE] If you're interested in the history and philosophy of politics, I cannot recommend Anghie's text on Vitoria more [quote]Anghie frames his analysis within a historical narrative, beginning with Vitoria’s natural language jurisprudence and ending with the new justifications for foreign intervention articulated in the course of the ‘War Against Terror.’[/quote] Anderson's [I]imagined communities[/I] is also quite interesting, about how the concept of the nation-state is only a few hundred years old Foucault is pretty critical of law and power, and also definitely an interesting read [editline]18th February 2012[/editline] [quote]It is particularly telling that Francisco de Vitoria, arguably (in conjunction with Grotius) the progenitor of modern international law, developed that conceptual framework out of a need to legitimate the colonial occupation of Indigenous American lands. Anghie, interpreting the works of Vitoria, writes that “the Spanish [acquired] an extraordinarily powerful right to act on behalf of the people seen as victims of Indian rituals” (2005, 22). The parallels between the Spanish legitimation of colonialism and modern humanitarian intervention are readily apparent.[/quote] [quote]The study of long term historical structures (that is, la longue durée) can be quite useful in explaining and critically examining contemporary political issues. This conception of ideological development is particularly applicable to analysing problems regarding consent and the use of coercive force by the state, as each possess a rich and interwoven past, fundamental to their expression and manifestation today. It is important to note that I connect the de facto ‘state of nature’ individual or personal sovereignty with consent due to their strong thematic link. That is to say, consent itself is predicated on the idea that one has the ‘right’ or sovereign ability to consent at all. Due to time constraints, it is necessary to focus on three ‘milestones’ of thought – Vitoria’s lectures on sovereignty “De Indis Noviter Invetis” and “De Jure Bellis Hispanorum” (translated and interpreted in Anghie 2005), Locke’s “Second Treatise” (1789 as reproduced in Locke 1980).) and Mill’s “On Liberty” (1859 as quoted in Hunter et al 1995, 42) and the subsequent discourses based on these frameworks. The western conception of sovereignty, insofar as it derived from secular philosophy as opposed to divine right, can be traced to Vitoria’s work on legitimating the colonisation of the Americas by the Spanish, and the subjugation of the indigenous American peoples (Anghie 2005). In order to disentangle the challenge posed by the lack of jurisdiction of the Pope over the American peoples, Vitoria reconceptualises law in the novel form of ‘jus gentium’, or natural law. He proceeds to argue that due to existence of analogous American institutions such as “marriage and magistrates, overlords, laws and workshops” they, like European civilization, possess reason and are subject to ‘universal’ natural law (Anghie 2005, 20). Vitoria’s understanding of natural law is entirely based on Eurocentric norms and ideals, and the resulting noncompliance by the Americans as a justification for the use of coercive force. The capacity for reason by the American people and their failure to follow the ‘right’ reason is precisely the cause to strip the indigenous Americans of their sovereignty, and ‘civilize’ them. The key significance of Anghie’s analysis of Vitoria’s work in relation to consent is as follows: “[through universalizing European norms via natural law] the Spanish acquire an extraordinarily powerful right to act on behalf of the people seen as victims of Indian rituals.” (2005, 22) This centuries old colonial encounter provides a conceptual pillar for subjugation of Others today[/quote] anghie = great

[QUOTE=Prez;34752472]Generally I side more with liberalism (more reform liberalism (ie. universal suffrage and equality of opportunity) than classical if it makes a difference), although I try to stay as unbiased as possible. Thanks for the help too.[/QUOTE] Then I'll say go with what Contag wrote as a starting point. We're both doing degrees in humanities (with a focus on international politics and law), and we've been studying those texts, amongst others. I'll go through my textbooks and see if I can come up with anything else you might be interested in. One thing, though: Contag mentioned a few criminology texts, and I'd very much like to reiterate that. When I started attending university last year, I had no desire to study criminology, but went to an orientation lecture on a whim. I took the course because it sounded interesting, and as I studied, it became one of my favourite subjects. Criminology looks at how certain behaviours are classed as criminal or harmful, and the reasons for that. Conversely, my law subjects were very dry, and focused more on learning what the actual laws were, rather than any kind of discussion of the morality or social circumstances behind them. The two compliment each other very well, and it's not nearly as niche a subject as I had initially thought. If you believe in equality of opportunity, then, certainly, you will appreciate looking at the theories of structural causes (as well as comparing them to dominant theories of the past, such as biological positivist theories - which plenty of people still believe today). Studying criminology has helped my understanding of these subjects immensely, and I believe you'd benefit from it, too.

never listen to people on the internet

Go to school to be honest... And don't get any information from people on Facepunch, I've tried to learn things through this site for years and end up embarrassing myself. Or you could go to the library and get a book about law. I wouldn't trust many places on the internet if it isn't a .gov website.

[QUOTE=Mr. Sun;34752762]Go to school to be honest... And don't get any information from people on Facepunch, I've tried to learn things through this site for years and end up embarrassing myself. Or you could go to the library and get a book about law. [B]I wouldn't trust many places on the internet if it isn't a .gov website.[/B][/QUOTE] and this folks, is why you shouldn't listen to everyone on the internet

[QUOTE=Mr. Sun;34752762]Go to school to be honest... [/QUOTE] Are you for real?

Your common sense.

Thanks for all the help guys! I'll make sure to read up on your suggestions. Before this month I never thought that I'd be interested in this field. Now, I can see myself studying this in some way in university.

[QUOTE=Prez;34757593]Thanks for all the help guys! I'll make sure to read up on your suggestions. Before this month I never thought that I'd be interested in this field. Now, I can see myself studying this in some way in university.[/QUOTE] Always nice to see someone truly interested in the pursuit of knowledge.

Just by knowing there are laws makes you smarter then 80% of the current candidates.

I've started picking up an interest in these sorts of things over the course of the last year Tips: -Cultivate an interest for finding out about the world -otherwise this all feels like a chore -Read the news daily, if it's referring to any event, crisis or concept you're unfamiliar with then look it up to try to understand it -Read the same story on several different news sites -they will often offer different viewpoints on the subject that allow you to understand the whole of the story better -Learn the basic law system of your country -the different courts, the different kinds of laws, who makes them and who applies them and what aims/ideals those people are held to -When you see a news item, try to analyse it and understand it based upon the knowledge you already hold -question whether it's been written with bias towards a certain viewpoint and whether it's missing out any key details that you've read elsewhere -If anything concerns a person's decision or thought process, consider what pressures they may have been under then ask yourself what you might have done differently With time you start to pick up on how the whole system works and how all these different areas coincide -it's really deeply interesting and I hope you enjoy finding the same!

oh, read bell hooks as well!

Just learning the history of your country(and other countries) can give you a lot of political knowledge. It's hard to truly understand the ideas of political philosophers if you don't really understand the context in which they were written, and how those philosophies have been applied in the real world. For example, learning about the philosophies of Malcom X, the Black Panthers, Thomas Jefferson, Karl Marx etc. can be confusing if you don't understand what was going on around them at the time. The environment breeds the philosophy. And understanding how Marx's(for example) philosophies have been applied in the real world will help you understand the concepts behind Stalinism, Leninism, Maoism, Social Democracy, and other political structures.

And likewise it's very hard to understand the history without an understanding of the dominant discourses the bottom line read!

game theory and cognitive psychology also have interesting implications for politics if you're of a more scientific persuasion

Don't even bother using American news if you like an unbiased newscast. EDIT: Contag, my mom said Al Jeezera was a Taliban news cast :v:

Look for political/debate/speech groups at your school. They're fun, you'll meet people who know a lot about law, and you'll pick up some knowledge.