Rules are sets of instructions and consequences that are established to help individuals and whole communities, live and work together harmoniously. These rules are found everywhere, in schools for example, in workplaces, at social gatherings or places of entertainment. Rules are also found in the home.
Such rules find a special place in our lives as since childhood, our minds are ingrained to follow them. These rules are subjective in nature and they vary from person to person and depending on the circumstances, and other variables, such as personal values and morals.
Types of Rules
Rules come in different forms and functions. Some rules are made by the persons in authority and some are made by people themselves. For example, traffic rules, rules regarding day to day affairs of a country are made by the government. Other rules regarding behaviour and etiquette are personal rules and are made by individuals.
Rules come in mainly three different categories; regulative, normative and cognitive. In the first, regulative rules are made by a person/authority in power and [in a democratic society] are backed by legally-sanctioned referendums. The mechanism to implement these rules may be by coercion and it follows the mentality of instrumentality. Some examples of regulative rules are formal rules, laws, sanctions, protocols, standards and procedure.
In the second, normative rules stem from the following of a set of social obligations. They are essentially morally governed by individuals upon their own sense of judgement and correctness. Usually, the mechanisms to implement these rules are normative pressures such as social sanction and follow the mentality of the morally governed. Some examples of normative rules are values, norms, role expectations, duty and code of conduct.
In the last, cognitive rules are usually ingrained in our DNA and we unconsciously follow them on the basis of what we see and observe around us. The basic nature of this rule is familiarity and learning by way of imitation of our surroundings. Culturally supported and stemming from orthodoxy and the beliefs of past generation, some examples of cognitive rules are problem agendas, beliefs, bodies of knowledge, models of reality, categories, classification and search etc.
The Purpose of Rules
Rules seek to maintain equal opportunities for all, together with the same limitations and restrictions. Without rules, people could get hurt or be at a disadvantage. When used and respected appropriately, rules provide a climate of consistency and security for each person. In essence, rules are developed to invoke a sense of fairness to each individual and the collective; avoiding that someone takes advantage over another. Without rules, everyone would undoubtedly do what suits them best. In some cases, their non fulfilment may have consequences, but that depends on the space, character, intensity, severity and type of organisation of the group, and their common goals.
Rules are the basis for a harmonious and respectful coexistence of all civilisation. Many historians and sociologists claim that without the rules, society would be plunged into chaos and the human being would still be a savage individual.
Generally, the last step in the evolution of the rules of a society is the creation and implementation of laws, whereby the rulers of a community give institutional character to their rules, establishing in turn reinforcement mechanisms for their compliance and sanctions for non compliance.
People have long often respected rules to avoid punishment for non compliance, most often in the first years of life, meaning childhood and youth.
But with the passage of time, the vast majority of inhabitants acquire the awareness and responsibility to comply with the rules for the simple and important reason of respecting order in society and each of the members therein.
DISCLAIMER
This article is intended solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Although the information in this article was obtained from reliable official sources, no guarantee is made with regard to its accuracy and completeness. For more information please visit dandreapartners.com or WeChat: dandreapartners
