Law is a complex subject that deals with the rules and punishments imposed by a government or other authority. It shapes politics, economics, history and society in a multitude of ways. There are several different philosophies or schools of law that differ in their approaches to what the law should be and how it works.
Some of the major branches of law are property, contracts, and torts. Property law describes people’s rights and duties towards tangible property (real estate), such as land, buildings, or cars. Contract law describes agreements that exchange goods, services, or money and is involved in everything from buying a bus ticket to trading on the derivatives market. Tort law describes cases involving harm and injury to individuals, such as in an automobile accident or defamation.
The law is also concerned with social justice and the distribution of wealth. The legal system can serve a number of different aims, from keeping the peace and maintaining the status quo to protecting minorities and promoting progressive social change. The different aims are related to the balance of power in a nation, which is influenced by who has political control over the law. For example, an authoritarian state might keep the peace but oppress its citizens, while a democracy might provide greater freedom of speech and assembly.
A key aspect of the law is how it relates to human rights, which are enshrined in international treaties and national constitutions. Human rights laws, however, can vary widely from one country to the next because they are dependent on a nation’s political landscape and the underlying values and beliefs of its citizenry.
Legal systems also differ in the way they process civil and criminal cases. For example, common-law legal systems involve a jury, a single judge, and adherence to precedent (the “doctrine of stare decisis”). In contrast, civil-law systems usually have multiple judges, a more detailed set of statutes, and more judicial discretion.
Another important aspect of the law is how it relates with religion, morality, and spirituality. For example, some legal philosophers have advocated the idea that certain rights are “natural” or unalienable (such as those in the Declaration of Independence and the writings of John Locke).
Those who study the law often examine how the principles behind it can be applied to particular situations. In addition, they may consider the effect that the law has on social structure and ethics. In this regard, the law can be seen as a shield or a sword, depending on whether it is used to protect people from injustice or as a tool for economic growth. Legal practice focuses on the practical applications of the law, while legal theory studies the nature of law itself. Lawyers are formally trained to apply the law, either through an undergraduate degree or by studying at a law school to earn a graduate degree such as a Master of Laws. They must also pass a bar exam to become licensed to practice law in the jurisdiction in which they work.