Law is a system of rules and guidelines that are geared to control human behavior and keep societal order. It governs people, organizations and businesses and provides a framework for resolving disputes. Law imposes responsibilities and obligations on all members of society and is enforced by a sovereign authority. It is based on ethical and moral principles and must conform to the common consciousness of the people.
Almost every aspect of human life is covered by law, influencing relationships, governance, commerce and individual rights. Its diverse fields and ever-changing nature underscore its importance in shaping human civilization. There are four principal purposes of law: establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving conflicts and protecting liberties and rights.
While some laws are innately just, most have been created by humans and therefore may be good or bad. For example, a tyrannical dictator may create arbitrary laws that are not fair or just, but because they have power behind them, those tyrannical laws become law and must be obeyed.
Some law is created by governments and other governing bodies while some is created by courts and other adjudicators. Governmental law comes in the form of statutes and regulations duly enacted by a legislative body and executive agency respectively. Court decisions are based on an interpretation of the law and have broader legal weight that can be binding on lower courts in future cases. This principle is known as the doctrine of precedent or stare decisis.
Another type of law is called constitutional law, which establishes the limits of a sovereign, national or state government. Courts, legislators and regulatory agencies interpret constitutional laws to ensure their continued validity and adherence to the spirit of the constitution.
Other types of law include contract law, which regulates the exchange of goods and services and is essential for commercial partnerships; property law, which defines ownership conditions and rights on tangible assets and intangible property like ideas and intellectual properties; and labour law, which studies a tripartite industrial relationship between worker, employer and trade union. Family law covers marriage and divorce proceedings, and children’s rights. Legal philosophy is the study of the origins and philosophies of law. Max Weber and others reshaped thinking on the extension of state power and the role of law in society.
Some law is based on religious precepts, such as Jewish Halakha and Islamic Sharia which act as sources of further human elaboration through interpretation, Qiyas (reasoning by analogy), Ijma (consensus) and case law. Other law is based on natural processes, such as the laws of gravity and temperature. Lastly, some legal fields are focused on specific issues such as immigration law and the right of asylum. Also, there is a field of law that involves the intersection of law and the biosciences. Law is a vital part of society and must be understood by those who want to live in a democracy or any other type of social order. In addition, law should be studied by students who hope to practice law or other careers in the field of law in the future.