Law is the system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members. Law covers a vast range of issues, from human rights and property to family and employment laws and criminal justice. Legal scholars study the way these laws are made, interpreted and enforced as well as how they shape politics, economics, history, and society.
Law has multiple purposes, but the four principal ones are establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes and protecting liberty and rights. Different legal systems serve these purposes in different ways. For example, a nation ruled by an authoritarian government may keep the peace but it will also oppress minorities and prevent social change (see Burma under Saddam Hussein). By contrast, a constitutional democracy might succeed in all four areas but may fail to achieve the goal of fairness in the distribution of wealth, opportunity, and power among its citizens.
A core part of the law is the judicial branch, which interprets the legal system and decides cases brought before it. In some nations, judges are elected while in others they are appointed by the government. The debate over how these bodies should be organized is a central issue in law. The law may be written, but it is more often expressed as a set of principles and practices to guide the judicial process.
Another important aspect of law is the administrative and managerial branches, which ensure that the judicial system functions smoothly. This involves creating a structure for evaluating applications and hiring judges, as well as setting up procedures to protect the independence of the judiciary. A centralized database of court records helps judges to be efficient and accurate.
The law is a complex, interrelated system. Its many parts are influenced by a variety of factors, from cultural and historical backgrounds to the specific needs of the nation. This is why the study of law is so broad and diverse.
