A body of rules enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior and ensure that a group adheres to its values. Laws may be written by legislative bodies, resulting in statutes and regulations, or they can be established by executive order, resulting in decrees and ordinances, or created through the rulings of courts, resulting in case law. Laws may also be enacted by private individuals through contracts.
The precise definition of the word “law” is a matter of debate. Some writers use it to refer to a body of rules governing human conduct: “A law is any rule or procedure that governs human activity” (Oxford English Dictionary). Others define it as a system of rules enforceable by the state: “Law is the name of the body of laws which the government enforces through its courts” (New Oxford American Dictionary). A few writers, such as Max Weber, have reshaped thinking on the extension of state power over daily life. Others, such as John Locke and Montesquieu, focused on the nature of law as a process of enlightened self-interest and the limits of human liberty.
Law is a highly complex area of practice. The field covers a wide range of subjects, from censorship and criminal law to labour law, property law, tax law, family law, immigration law and international law. There are many sub-fields within these broad categories:
The most widespread legal systems are the civil law systems found on all continents, based on concepts, categories, and rules largely derived from Roman or canon law, supplemented or replaced by local culture and custom. They tend to be more individualistic than the common law systems, and encourage cooperation between people.
Other kinds of law are administrative law, air and maritime law, patent law and copyright law, commercial law, insurance law and taxation law. Some of these areas are governed by international law, while others are regulated by government or specialised agencies.
Another field of law is the jurisprudence of human rights. This encompasses legal theories about the nature of rights, as well as specific legal issues such as discrimination and torture. The jurisprudence of human rights is highly sensitive, and it often involves controversial issues. It is a highly intellectual and academic discipline, and is closely related to philosophy of law. It is important to understand the differences between different approaches, as these can have significant implications for the protection of people’s freedom and dignity.