Law is a system of rules developed by a society or government to control human behavior. It covers everything from criminal punishment to business agreements. The term can also refer to the profession of lawyers and judges.
The exact nature of law is a subject of long-standing debate, with various theories attempting to define it in terms of social control, morality, or justice. A commonly used definition of law is that it is a set of rules created and enforced by governmental or other social institutions to govern conduct, thereby protecting individual rights and public safety. The laws can be enacted by a legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive through decrees and regulations; or by the judiciary through case law and precedent (in common law countries). Private individuals may create legally binding contracts, including arbitration agreements that adopt alternative ways of resolving disputes to standard court litigation.
Legal systems vary in their ability to satisfy social wants and serve the public interest, as demonstrated by the history of colonialism when European nations imposed peace and stability over many areas that were arbitrarily established as their colonies. The extent to which a particular system is democratic and transparent, in addition to its efficiency, are important considerations in choosing which one to live under.
In modern times, the role of law is a major issue in the development and maintenance of civil societies. Its growing complexity and influence have highlighted the need to continually update legal principles, practices and procedures.
A key aspect of law is its role in the creation and enforcement of social restrictions, a concept often described as censorship. In addition to this, laws can be aimed at specific groups of people, such as the elderly, women or children. It can also be applied to specific activities, such as obscene telephone calls or financing political parties.
Another aspect of law is its role in governing commerce and personal relationships, with the scope of this area broadening rapidly with technological developments and new social needs. For example, new types of financial instruments are constantly emerging, while issues such as biolaw have emerged from the intersection of law and the life sciences.
The definition of law can be seen as a tool of social engineering, where the pulls of politics, economic interests and ethical values battle against each other in an attempt to shape its application. For instance, an authoritarian regime might keep the peace and maintain the status quo, but in doing so it could oppress minorities or suppress political opponents. Alternatively, a liberal democracy might promote social change while maintaining the peace and preserving personal freedoms.