Investigate how changing the law can be a method of political and social change.
Consider the power of the law to bring about change.
JOURNAL TASKS 3
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Think about whether changing the law can change the world.
Create a proposal for a new law.
Reflect on what you have learned about how laws are made and why we change them.
We have learned previously that the Irish Constitution is the foundation of most laws in Ireland. Any new law, or change to the law, that requires changes to the Constitution must be voted on by the people in a referendum.
However, only a very small number of the changes made to laws in Ireland involve a change to the Constitution (also called an amendment).
Most changes to laws in this country are made by elected politicians in the Oireachtas (the Dáil and Seanad). In this chapter, we will learn what is involved in making a new law or changing an old one.
We will also explore whether changes in the law can really bring about positive changes to the lives of ordinary people and strengthen our rights as citizens.
RESPONSE JOURNAL
THINK Before you start learning more about this topic, take a moment to think about how you already feel about it.
‘IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD,
YOU CAN DO IT BY CHANGING THE LAW.’ Visit page 118 of your Response Journal to give your response to this statement.
