Law is a system of rules and standards that dictates how society should function. It encompasses a diverse array of fields, including contract, criminal, property and family law, as well as legal philosophy, history, ethics and political science. Law influences politics, economics, culture and history, with its diversity underlining its profound importance.
Law-making is the core of law as a discipline, with the precise definition of “law” a subject of ongoing debate. Laws may be created by a legislature, resulting in statutes; by an executive, resulting in decrees and regulations; or by judicial interpretation, resulting in case law. Private individuals may also create legally binding contracts, and arbitration agreements offer alternative methods to court litigation for settling disputes. Civil law governs relationships between individuals, while criminal law covers offenses against a federal or state government or the community at large.
The societal role of law has been reshaped by legal philosophers such as Max Weber, who emphasized the importance of legal institutions and a rationalist approach to interpreting and applying the law. In recent times, there has been a resurgence of interest in the law as a social product, with scholars emphasizing its impact on society and politics.
In the modern era, legal professionals are distinguished by their distinct professional identity and a formal qualification, typically obtained through a specified course of study leading to a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Legal Studies or a Doctor of Law. Legal philosophy seeks to understand and evaluate the law from a philosophical perspective, with the aim of improving legal theory and practice.
For further reading, see Law and legal profession; legal education; law journal; and Legal history. Law is intertwined with other disciplines in a variety of ways, and broader articles on these subjects can be found at constitution; ideology; and political structure.
The rule of law aims to protect against anarchy or the Hobbesian war of all against all, while allowing people to plan their lives reasonably with confidence that the law will be consistent and predictable. In addition, it should ensure that governments and their agents are held accountable for their actions. The principle of good law requires that laws be clear, publicized and stable, and that they protect human rights and the free market. It also means that the law should be sufficiently accessible and impartial, with its processes open to scrutiny and representation by people who reflect the communities they serve.
