Law is a system of rules and regulations that governs the actions of a community or society. It provides a framework for maintaining peace and ensuring that everyone is treated fairly. If these laws are violated there are ways to ensure that victims are compensated and offenders face consequences. Laws also provide guidance for how to behave and help people understand what is and is not acceptable within a society.
Different nations have different laws. These laws can be created by a government, an institution or even a group of individuals. They can be based on the teachings of religion or they may be influenced by other countries with similar legal systems.
Generally speaking there are three types of laws: statutes, regulations and court decisions. Statutes are laws duly enacted by either the federal or state government. Regulations are laws that have been drafted by a government agency and often carry the force of law based on the Chevron doctrine (which states that any regulation that conflicts with a statute should be read to be consistent with it). Court decisions are rulings made by judges in specific cases. These rulings have broader legal weight and can be used in future cases.
The origin of the word is thought to be from the Old Norse lag, meaning “laying down of the law.” This is probably an appropriate description of what law does: it sets standards that are followed by the majority of the population and creates a common way for society to function.
One of the great debates about law is what exactly it is. There are many books and articles with numerous ideas about what laws should be, but the basic idea is that a legal system creates a set of rules that form a framework to ensure a peaceful society. These laws can be enforced by the state and sanctions can be imposed when they are broken.
A number of philosophers have contributed to the discussion about what law is. Hans Kelsen created a theory that law is a “normative science.” He believed that the laws of a particular culture are a set of precepts that are unchanging and inviolate. He argued that these laws should be interpreted by a judge to make sure they are fair and balanced.
Some people think that the law is a tool of power and that it must have coercive elements to be effective. For example, the military in Myanmar (formerly Burma) has used its laws to oppress minorities and political opponents. But others argue that law is a tool for social change and needs to adapt to the changing circumstances of the time. Ultimately, it is up to individuals to decide whether or not they support the concept of law and how much they want to be involved in shaping its evolution. This article is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed and curated by Anonymous via LibreTexts.