1. In developed western societies, the system of justice involves prosecution and defense lawyers presenting arguments and evidence according to special rules in a courtroom with a judge and/or a jury deciding which side is most convincing. But does this system guarantee a just outcome?
- Describe and evaluate several methods used historically to adjudicate disputes and avenge wrongs. (Examples: person defends him/herself before authority - King, chief, religious leader; trial by combat - strongest and most skillful wins; trial by ordeal.)
- Suggest any changes that you think would achieve a more just result.
2. Because records are often the ammunition for legal proceedings, many organisations and individuals retain as few of them as possible. This rush to destruction robs our archives of important memory.How can we ensure that important records survive to act as building blocks of culture after they have satisfied their business & regulatory requirements and in the personal/ private sphere where recordkeeping is descretionary?
3. Look over the 30 Clauses of the Universal declaration
of human rights at
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
- Discuss what sorts of records are necessary to achieve these outcomes.
- What other factors should be considered in order to make the best use of records?
4. We now have the technology to make people accountable for their every move.
- Is using this capability a good idea?
- Discuss the downside of making people too accountable.
- What measures would you propose to achieve a balanced accountability regime?