Law is a system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crime, business agreements and social relationships. It is also the term for the people who work in this system. The law can be applied to specific fields, such as criminal or business, or it can refer to an overarching body of laws such as the Constitution or human rights. The precise meaning of the word is a subject of long-running debate, with many books and articles containing different ideas about its nature.
Some think that the law is simply power backed by threats. Others argue that it is a set of moral principles, and that the fact that some of these rules are unpopular or controversial does not make them any less lawful. This idea of the law is sometimes referred to as natural law.
Other legal theorists have argued that the purpose of the law is to protect individual freedoms, property and privacy by making it illegal to do certain things such as commit fraud or steal. This view of the law has become popular in countries like Australia and New Zealand, where a constitutional monarchy is a key part of the political landscape.
The law can be formulated by a group legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive through decrees and regulations; or by judges through legal precedent, usually in common law jurisdictions. The law can apply to individuals or groups of people, and may be based on the constitution; a treaty; or a charter of rights and freedoms, such as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The law can be interpreted and enforced by a court of law or other adjudicating bodies such as arbitrators.
Law can be categorized as criminal, civil, or international law. Criminal law deals with crimes such as murder, robbery or theft, and it is enforced by the police. Civil law applies to disputes between two parties, such as property disputes or disagreements over divorce settlements. The law can also be based on religious beliefs and books such as the Jewish Halakha, Islamic Sharia or Christian Canon law.
The law can also be a field of study, with fields such as criminology, sociology and the history of the law incorporating it into their studies. Other subjects that use the law include public policy, jurisprudence and political science. The law is also used in the media, for example when discussing issues of public interest such as human rights and media freedom. Some newspapers have a particular editorial position on these matters and take a stand on how the law should be changed. This is especially true of specialist papers that cover more technical legal topics. Such papers often feature articles or comment pieces that critique recent changes to legislation. This is a sign of the increasing influence of the law in the wider culture and media. This trend is expected to continue as the law becomes increasingly embedded in the everyday lives of the population.