Law is a collection of rules, regulations and guidelines that are geared towards controlling human behavior and maintaining societal order. It has a complex nature as it deals with many aspects of justice, morality, reasons, and honesty from both the judicial and societal views. The study of law has also evolved over time and it is important to consider its history in the context of different civilizations, observing adjustments and justifications that were made along the way.
The term law is often associated with the rules and policies enacted by the government. However, the concept of law goes beyond this and includes any strong rule that must be followed. For example, the rules that your parents have for you at home can be considered laws if they must be followed. Even the instinctive or spontaneous behaviors that you perform, such as escaping from danger or saving your life, can be considered a form of law.
There are a number of definitions for the word law, with some of them focusing on the process by which the law is created and enforced, and others emphasizing the meaning and content of the laws themselves. One school of thought is that the law is simply power, and that tyrannical rulers can create arbitrary laws that are still considered legal if they have the power to enforce them. Examples of this include the Nazis killing six million Jews and Saddam Hussein torturing and murdering political opponents.
Another school of thought is that the law is simply a tool for social control, and that it must be used to achieve specific social goals. This view is often referred to as the natural school of law, and it emphasizes the role that courts play in interpreting and applying the laws. It also emphasizes that the morality of the law should be separate from the judging process, and that judges should use their own sense of what is right and wrong when deciding cases.
Laws can be created in a variety of ways, including through legislative bodies, with the creation of statutes; by executive branch agencies, resulting in regulations; or through court decisions, known as common law. Some laws are based on a particular topic, such as contract law or property law, while others cover more general topics, such as administrative law or criminal law.
Many areas of law are highly specialized, and it is important to understand the nuances of each field before pursuing a career in law. For example, labor law focuses on the tripartite industrial relationship between worker, employer and trade union, and encompasses issues like wage regulation, health and safety legislation and the right to strike. Similarly, banking and finance laws focus on the operations of banks and financial markets and regulate things like capital requirements and best practices for investment. The fields of insurance and reinsurance are heavily regulated by law, as are utilities like water, electricity and gas. The complexities of each area are well-documented and a good understanding of the ins and outs is essential for those interested in pursuing careers in these areas.