The law is a body of rules that governs the behaviour and activities of people or groups. It is enforced through a system of government or other institutions. Law is often seen as a moral or ethical concept, with an emphasis on fairness and social justice. The precise definition of law is a subject of debate and there are many different legal systems. Law may be influenced by religious or cultural beliefs, and can also be reshaped by changes in the political landscape. For example, the rise of parliamentary democracy in Europe and the United States has shifted thinking on the role of law.
There are a variety of different types of law, which vary according to jurisdiction and method. Government laws can be made by a legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive, resulting in decrees and regulations; or by judges through precedent (common law jurisdictions). Private individuals can also create legally binding contracts, including arbitration agreements that adopt alternative ways of resolving disputes to standard court litigation. The study of law includes the analysis of historical developments and the impact of changing social, economic and technological factors on the formation and implementation of law.
Law has a wide range of applications, from preventing murder to regulating the flow of water in a river. It is a central part of a well-run society and the term is used frequently in everyday speech. For example, Zola dreams of a career as a lawyer, so she is ‘killin it’ in her studies.
The word law is derived from the Old Norse word lag, meaning ‘to lay order’. This suggests the underlying purpose of the law is to regulate behaviour and establish a common set of rules that everyone can follow. In a democracy, the rule of law means that all citizens are equal and are subject to publicly disclosed legal codes and processes. This contrasts with the idea that the ruler is above the law, for example by divine right.
While the precise definition of law is a matter for debate, it is generally accepted that the governing institutions are meant to protect the rights and liberties of the people they govern. The role of the state in this respect has been a subject of intense debate in politics and philosophy for centuries, with theories of the nature of the state varying widely from region to region.
For more on the relationship between law and other areas of life, see constitutional law; political system; jurisprudence; canon law; civil society; and religion. For an overview of the profession, see legal practice; legal education; and legal ethics. The importance of law regarding social issues is addressed in articles such as human rights; land reform; and social service. Articles that explore the nature of law’s relationship to political structures are constitution; ideology; and political party.