Law is the set of rules that governs a society. These rules are enforced by a controlling authority through mechanisms like sanction or punishment. The term is also used to describe the professions that deal with advising people about the law, representing people in court, or making decisions and punishments.
Law permeates every aspect of human society, influencing politics, economics, history and culture. It shapes relationships, governance, commerce and individual freedoms. In a sense, it is the defining element of civilization.
There are many definitions of law, but the simplest is that it is a system of regulations created and enforced by a community in order to ensure a peaceful society. The rules can be made by a legislative body, leading to statutes; or by the executive, resulting in decrees and regulations; or established through judges, resulting in case law. The precise meaning of this concept has been debated for centuries, with philosophers like Jeremy Bentham providing one approach. Others, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, have argued that law reflects a moral, unchanging code.
The term law can also refer to a particular set of rules that must be obeyed, such as the rules for driving on a highway. These types of laws are created and enforced by the state, but can vary by jurisdiction (country). There are also a number of different types of law, such as labour law which concerns industrial relations between an employer and a worker, or evidence law which deals with which materials can be allowed into courts to build a case.
In a democracy, the role of the law is to protect individuals and groups from the arbitrary power of the government by maintaining a balance between liberty and order. However, this role is often abused, as shown in the case of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, and by dictatorships such as those of Franco in Spain, Mussolini in Italy or Castro in Cuba.
The law is a complex, constantly evolving phenomenon which can be difficult to define and even more challenging to understand. In order to use it effectively, it is important for citizens to be educated about it, and to have the support of their governments and communities in enforcing it. This is essential if it is to be truly effective in preventing crime and providing a safe and secure environment in which to live, work, study and play. The most effective societies are those in which the rule of law is followed. This is the foundation for healthy communities of accountability, open government and accessible and impartial justice. Without these principles, societies become corrupt, unstable and dangerous. The rule of law therefore requires the support of every member of a democracy. It also requires the support of all those who practice law, whether as lawyers, judges or other members of the legal profession.