Law is a set of rules made by a government that people must obey, or face punishment. It is the basis for most societies, and a central part of any government. It shapes politics, economics, history and society in many ways.
There are many different opinions of what law is, and how it should be defined. Some philosophers have written books with numerous ideas about the nature of law, and many debates have taken place. One common theme is that laws are a tool of social control, and that they are coercive by their nature. A more specific definition of law has been proposed by Roscoe Pound, who considered it to be a system that serves the needs of society, and that it provides for a balance of conflicting pulls of power, interest and morality.
A law is an authority or rule that people must follow to prevent them from harming themselves or others. It can be enforced by a government through penalties, such as fines or imprisonment. A law can be a general principle, like “Don’t steal,” or it can apply to specific activities, such as driving. A law can also cover groups of people, such as a company’s employees.
The creation of a law can take place through a group of legislators, resulting in statutes; by the executive branch through decrees and regulations; or through legal precedent, as in common law jurisdictions. Private individuals can also create legally binding contracts, such as arbitration agreements that use alternative methods of resolving disputes to standard court litigation.
Laws can also be influenced by cultural values, such as the morality of stealing. A tyrannical dictator, for example, might create arbitrary laws and enforce them with violence. These laws might be “bad” but they are still considered to be law by those who are under their rule, as millions of Jews were murdered by the Nazis and many Sunni Muslims were killed by Saddam Hussein, both of whom considered themselves to be obeying their country’s laws.
Law can also refer to a group of rules or laws that people follow, as in Zola was studying hard for her law exam. It can also refer to the profession of lawyers, who advise clients on legal issues or represent them in a court case. It can also be used to describe a field of study, as in law school is becoming increasingly popular among young people. It can also refer to a geographic area, as in Zola dreamed of being a lawyer and practicing law in New York City. For more information, see Law article.
