Law is a system of rules and practices enforced by a sovereign entity (usually a government) to ensure that people behave according to acceptable social norms and prevent disorder. The law provides a framework for the social order and for civil and criminal justice, and it is one of the foundations of democracy and good governance. Law also helps protect fundamental rights, and it is a key aspect of human development and welfare.
Law covers a vast range of subjects, including criminal law, corporate law, family law, and labour law. There is also legal philosophy, the study of the nature and purpose of law, and jurisprudence, the interpretation of legal texts. The article below gives a general overview of the subject and provides links to more specific articles on particular aspects of law.
The concept of law has a number of different meanings, which depend on the context and interpretation. Some of the main concepts are the idea that law is a set of commands issued by a sovereign, and that these commands are binding upon all people as political subjects. This is the principle of rule of law, and it contrasts with tyranny, where a sovereign has power to make laws that are arbitrary or unjust.
A more modern view of the concept of law is that it refers to a system of legal codes that are clear and public, with rules and procedures for resolving disputes. This includes a set of values that are associated with the law, such as fairness and transparency. The law must be accessible to all, and it should ensure that core human rights are protected, while maintaining the independence and impartiality of justice.
Many articles are devoted to individual types of law. For example, the article on family law discusses marriage and divorce proceedings, while the article on property law looks at ownership of land and other personal belongings. The article on criminal law discusses the principles and processes for dealing with a crime, while an article on civil law deals with a dispute between two private individuals.
Other articles discuss the relationship between law and other subjects, such as politics, economics, and culture. In particular, there is an emphasis on the ways in which law reflects cultural beliefs and attitudes and how these influence the making of laws. This is the topic of an article on the law and society, and there are also articles about the impact of the law on health, science, technology, and business. Other topics include the law and ethics, and the law and religion.