Law is the system of rules that a community or nation recognizes as regulating the behavior of its members. Its precise definition is a matter of longstanding debate. Generally, however, it is understood to refer to a set of rules created by a government and that must be followed. If they are broken, sanctions may be imposed.
The study of law is a vast and varied field. There are many different branches of law, ranging from criminal law to family law, which encompasses issues such as divorce and child custody. Other fields include constitutional law, which outlines the rights and duties of a citizen; contract law, which regulates agreements to exchange goods or services; property law, which defines people’s rights and obligations toward tangible (i.e. real estate) and intangible (i.e. financial) assets; and a variety of administrative law issues, such as taxation, labor standards, and the responsibilities of public agencies.
A major aspect of law is the question of whether it incorporates morality. John Austin’s utilitarian definition of law, for instance, stated that “law is the aggregate set of commands, backed by threat of sanctions, from a sovereign, to men as political subjects.” Some natural lawyers, such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, argue that laws are rooted in natural and immutable principles.
Other important aspects of law are how it is made and enforced. Ideally, a legal system is transparent and well-articulated, so that citizens can understand what they are expected to do. Laws may be created by a legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive branch, resulting in decrees and regulations; or established by judges through precedent, which is common in common law jurisdictions. Private individuals can also create legally binding contracts, such as arbitration agreements, which adopt alternative ways of resolving disputes to standard court litigation.
Another crucial issue is the extent to which a law applies to all its citizens, regardless of their social status or wealth. This is particularly a concern in developing countries, where laws that would be acceptable in developed nations often fail to meet the needs of a struggling economy. Finally, the existence of mechanisms to prevent the abuse of power by those in the highest positions is critical for a healthy democratic political system. This is achieved by a free press and independent courts, as well as by the possibility of revolution or revolt against existing political-legal authority. These factors are not always in place, but they are vital for a democracy to flourish.