A law is a rule that a social or governmental authority creates to govern behavior. It can be enforced by a police force, court system or other authorities. The law shapes politics, economics, history and society in many ways. Laws can be created and enforced by a group legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive branch through decrees and regulations; or by judges in common law jurisdictions through case law. Individuals may also create legally binding contracts and arbitration agreements to resolve disputes outside of court. A professional who studies or applies the rules of law is called a lawyer or a jurist.
The precise definition of law is a subject of ongoing debate. John Austin’s utilitarian theory defines law as “commands, backed by the threat of sanctions, from a sovereign, to whom people have a habit of obedience.” In contrast, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and other natural lawyers argue that law reflects an innate order and justice in nature, which is unchanging and eternal.
Regardless of its precise definition, law is essential to the functioning of any society. It provides a mechanism to prevent chaos and maintain social stability, it protects individual rights and interests, and it allows for peaceful but ordered change to the status quo. Some legal systems are better able to serve these purposes than others, and there are often revolts against governments that do not adequately perform the major functions of law.
While the basic functions of law are universal, the law is a complex and diverse tool, with its application differing between nations. This is because the laws of a nation are usually the result of political action, and the political landscape is different in each country. For example, a dictatorial government might keep the peace and preserve the status quo, but it is less likely to promote human rights or allow for peaceful change.
In addition to governing a nation, the law can also be used to regulate interstate and international relations, set standards for business and industry, or define property rights. These types of laws are known as civil or public law, whereas criminal laws punish individuals for crimes against the state and its citizens.
Some of the most important laws are those that affect individuals, such as employment and family law, which determine the rights and responsibilities of workers and spouses. Other important laws include immigration and nationality law, which deal with the right to live and work in a nation-state without being a citizen; intellectual property law, which covers patents and copyrights; and tort law, which provides compensation when someone is harmed by another person’s negligence or wrongdoing. The law can be a powerful instrument of social control and should be respected and obeyed, but it is not always fair. Individuals should consider whether the laws are based on a principle of justice or on arbitrary power, and they should also be aware of how they are enforced. For instance, they should consider whether the penalties for breaking the law are proportional to the crime committed.