laws and rules that are integrated into todays society prevent the downfall of the behaviors of man. by inputting rules, that means there is a greater / higher authority for a population to look to when they are in need of help. an example of this in literature is in the book "lord of the flies." a group of what was very well disciplined schoolboys, due to the fact they were following strict codes and rules in their life, gradually become barbaric due to the fact there are no rules on the island they find themselves stranded on.
hope this helps !!