Final answer:
The question asks about legality or the essence of an action being in accordance with laws and rules set by an authority. These laws are set by the authorities which most often are governmental bodies.
Step-by-step explanation:
An action that is in accordance with the laws and rules set by an authority is defined as legal.They have sovereignty or overall authority in their regions and create laws under the principle of the rule of law, so the laws are applicable universally in their jurisdiction and enforced accordingly. Law, as you learned in Chapter 4: Civil Liberties, is a body of rules of conduct that carry binding legal force and effect, and are laid down, recognised, and enforced by a controlling authority. This authority is often a form of government.
A government could exercise authority at various levels and across different regions, with each having sovereignty or the highest authority over its particular area. An integral aspect of this is the rule of law, a process which involves the creation of laws that protect individual and entity rights. These laws should be clear, public, fair, enforced, and apply to all members of society. By agreeing to live under these rules, people give the government legitimate authority, with the understanding that it will respect certain standards, termed as a social contract. This authority allows the government to take actions to protect the public interest and ensure justice, including, but not limited to, determining the legitimacy of forceful actions taken in self-defense.
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