Law is a set of rules created by a society or a government to control the behaviour of people and to deal with problems such as crime, business agreements and social relationships. The laws are enforced by institutions that have the power to punish those who break them. For example, if someone breaks the law by stealing a car, they could be arrested and put in jail. Law also refers to a general idea about what is considered right and wrong, and morals can play a role in the formation of law.
Laws can be made by a group legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive through decrees and regulations; or established by judges through precedent, which is the case in common law jurisdictions. Private individuals can also create legally binding contracts and arbitration agreements that adopt alternative ways of resolving disputes to standard court litigation. Public and private laws can be grouped into civil, administrative and criminal.
The purpose of law is to protect people against anarchy or the Hobbesian war of all against all, and provide stability. This allows people to plan their affairs with reasonable confidence and provides a means for people to resolve disputes peacefully. Law also shapes politics, economics, history and society in a variety of ways and is an essential part of human life.
Legal systems vary considerably around the world, reflecting cultural differences, historical development and a combination of secular and religious influences. Western law is predominant in most countries, but there are exceptions such as India where Hindu and Islamic laws dominate.
A number of theories about law exist, some based on philosophical ideas, others on empirical observations and still others on more technical matters. Philosophical theories include the ‘pure theory of law’ proposed by Hans Kelsen, which states that law does not describe what must occur but simply defines a set of rules that have to be abided by.
Some scholars have also argued that laws are a consequence of a system of values that society upholds, and so must be consistent with these. Others have argued that laws should be transparent and accountable, but it is difficult to ensure this in practice due to the power and authority of law-making bodies.
Some specific areas of law include banking and financial regulation, air and maritime transport laws, commercial transactions, property, family and labour. Other areas of law include constitutional and criminal law, the intersection between law and the biosciences and civil rights and liberties. All of these are shaped by the philosophy of a state, whether it is written in a constitution or implied through a culture. This culture may be influenced by religion, morality and other factors that shape the way in which a state conducts itself. These influences have a profound effect on the way in which laws are formed and enforced.