Use of power by the state?

[el_fefes]

What is the rightful use of power of the state against individuals?

What are all our laws based on?

[Marsh]

Im not 100% sure but i think they are based on the writings of John Locke, basically natural rights of Life liberty property and gov't only exist to protect these rights....this is in the US for sure but im not too sure about canada
hope that helped

[el_fefes]

thx. I found that a common view is to use Mill's Harm Principle as a guide. If an action will harm someone it should be against the law. So according to him all other laws are not justified and are immoral...interesting

[Marsh]

yep, but his principle fails to take into account psychological harm, ie. racism, things like that
thats still a major debate today over mill, the whole psychological thing