Legal Definitions - legal paternalism

Legal paternalism is a theory that suggests that a government or legal system has the right to control the private affairs of its citizens. This theory is often associated with legal positivists.

One example of legal paternalism is seatbelt laws. Governments require citizens to wear seatbelts while driving because they believe it is in the best interest of the individual's safety. Another example is mandatory vaccination laws. Governments require citizens to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of diseases.

These examples illustrate legal paternalism because the government is making decisions for the individual's well-being, even if the individual may not agree with the decision. The government believes that it knows what is best for the individual and enforces laws to ensure compliance.