The law is a set of rules that governs human behavior and relationships. It shapes politics, economics, history and society in many ways. The law is often considered to be a fundamental building block of a civilized society. Laws regulate everything from contracts to child custody and censorship to war and punishment. The term “law” is generally understood to encompass all laws in a geographic area, such as a state or country. However, laws can also be defined more broadly to include any sort of rule or custom that is enforceable by an authority figure such as a judge, parent, teacher or employer.
The most common definition of law is a set of rules created by an authority figure that must be obeyed or face punishment. Almost every society has laws in place to ensure that everyone has a safe and prosperous existence. These laws can be as simple as not stealing or as complex as the international treaty agreements between nations. The laws are enforced through various mechanisms including police officers, courts, and governing bodies. These laws can vary between societies depending on their cultures and beliefs, but most have some sort of morality code that must be followed to maintain a sense of order and fairness.
Laws can be broken for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is that people do not follow the rules. In addition to being a violation of the law, breaking a law can have societal repercussions and affect the social standing of individuals. Some examples of illegal actions include drunk driving, murder and robbery.
People who break the law are generally punished with fines, jail time or community service. The punishment is usually determined by the severity of the crime and the likelihood that the individual will commit another offense. In some cases, the person may be required to attend counseling to help him or her understand how to behave in the future.
While many people have different viewpoints on what constitutes the law, all of these viewpoints are important to the development of a healthy legal system. These viewpoints lead to scholarly debate and advancement of legal theory.
This article is part of our Law series.
Oxford Reference Law provides authoritative, accessible definitions and in-depth, specialist encyclopedic entries across this broad discipline. Covering international, criminal, tax, social security and family law as well as major legal systems and important theories of law, the series includes essays written by leading experts to provide a rich source of background knowledge for researchers at all levels. It is a valuable resource for legal professionals, students, and general readers interested in the role of law in society. It also includes commentary on recent changes to legislation where relevant. The law is a complex and ever-changing subject. This article will be updated regularly as new developments occur.