What Is Law?

Law is the body of rules, policies and guidelines that are geared to control human behavior and keep societal order. This is done through a system of punishments enforced by a controlling authority. Law also deals with issues of justice, morality, reason and honesty from both the judicial and societal viewpoints. The study of law has given insights into documenting adjustments and justifications as well as the evolution of laws over time in different civilizations.

Legal systems vary widely, and so does the definition of law, which is why many books containing diverse ideas have been written about it. However, most legal scholars agree that law encompasses a set of standards and procedures that are enforceable by sanctions if they are breached.

Some examples of law include contracts, property and criminal code. The latter is a set of rules that defines various crimes and punishes those who commit them.

In addition to the above, law lays out the framework for a country’s relationship with its citizens and foreign states, regulates commercial activity, protects personal privacy, and promotes social justice and order. Consequently, it is a fundamental element of most societies. It is not surprising that many people wish to become lawyers in order to serve society in this capacity, since law has a major impact on their lives.

Law is a complex subject, as it is often influenced by both political structures and social conditions. For example, a democratic government is generally seen as more just and fair than an authoritarian one, but it can still oppress minorities or political opponents. Similarly, an independent judiciary may have more independence than an unaccountable executive branch, but it can be vulnerable to corruption and special interests.

For this reason, law is often considered a highly political science. The study of it includes a broad range of disciplines, such as politics, economics, history and philosophy.

The word law comes from the Latin verb lege, which means to lay down. The term originally referred to a set of regulations made by a city or town, which had to be followed by everyone within it in order to stay safe and secure. Then, in the 1500s, the concept of law expanded to cover a wider variety of topics and areas, including relationships, commerce, governance and individual rights. The complexities of the law make it difficult to define, but its fundamental purpose is to establish standards, maintain order and resolving disputes, and protecting liberties and rights. It has a profound impact on the fabric of a civilization, and it is crucial to the survival of humans. For more information on the topic, see law, philosophy of; legal system; judicial independence; constitutional law; legal profession; and jurisprudence. For more specific articles on the law, see administrative law; criminal law; civil law; and family law. Law is a foundation of modern societies and has helped to shape the world we live in. Without it, chaos and violence would reign.