Law is the set of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Its precise definition is a matter of longstanding debate, ranging from the “pure theory of law” proposed by Roscoe Pound to “law as an art of justice.” Its primary function is to control society and it does so through coercion.
People often use the term to refer to specific laws or groups of laws, but it can also be used more generally to describe any powerful rule that must be followed — even an instinctive behavior like jumping out of the way of a speeding car. The field of study is often divided into many branches, with contract law governing the terms of trades between private individuals and the law of torts covering damages to property. Commercial transaction laws such as those that govern shipping, banking, insurance and money transactions are another part of the field. Property law encompasses the rights and duties people have toward tangible property (like cars or homes) as well as intangible property such as bank accounts and shares of stock.
Regulatory laws, such as those that oversee the provision of utilities and services such as water and energy are other important branches of law. These laws insure that the companies that manage these resources and provide these services will do so within certain standards of efficiency, safety, and quality. Banking laws insure that banks will meet minimum capital requirements, while financial regulation sets minimum standards of practice for investments.
Other areas of the law include civil rights, which protect individuals from discrimination and ensure that the government will not violate their personal freedoms; constitutional law; criminal law, which deals with crimes against humanity and other serious offenses; and administrative law, which governs the activities of federal, state and local governments and the agencies within them. International law is a vast area that covers the laws of other countries and how they relate to the laws of the land in which an individual lives.
Legal education and career opportunities are covered in articles on the legal profession and legal studies. A career in law is increasingly attractive to young people due to the wide variety of opportunities available.
Law is important to human civilization because it provides a framework for order and cooperation. It protects against anarchy and the Hobbesian war of all against all by defining rules that individuals must abide by in order to remain peaceful, healthy, and wealthy. In addition, the law defines consequences for those who break these rules. Without the law, humans would be unable to collaborate and live in peace with one another, and life could become very unpleasant indeed. Sadly, this is what we see in some parts of the world today, when military regimes impose harsh and cruel laws against their citizens. The military government in Myanmar, for instance, imprisoned the Nobel Peace Prize winning Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, and the people have revolted against this tyranny.