Law is a system of rules enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate human conduct and to create an ordered society. Its precise definition is a topic of longstanding debate and there are many different ideas about what it might be. Four of the principal purposes of law are establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes, and protecting rights and liberties.
Law can be broadly construed to include all rules and practices that a government or community considers binding on its members. Consequently, the field of Law encompasses legal systems and philosophies from around the world. It includes a broad range of subjects from criminal and civil law to international and family law, as well as the broader concepts of justice and ethics.
The study of law also encompasses the many ways that people think about these issues and how they relate to each other. It can cover topics as diverse as the origins of Law, how people perceive it in their daily lives, and the effect that laws have on society.
A basic idea about Law is that it has to be fair, just, and accessible to everyone. Fairness is a key component of a good legal system and this can be achieved by making the law clear, publicized, and stable. Accessibility is another important principle that can be achieved by having courts that are open, transparent, and efficient. Finally, stability is necessary for people to be able to plan their activities with confidence that they will not be impacted by sudden changes in the law.
One way to achieve this is to have separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government that are each accountable to the other. This is known as the separation of powers and it helps to ensure that no single person can wield too much power over a citizen’s life. This framework for law has been widely adopted and influenced by philosophers such as Max Weber, who reshaped thinking about the extension of state power. However, modern military, policing, and bureaucratic power over citizens’ daily lives pose special problems for accountability that earlier writers such as Locke or Montesquieu could not have imagined.
Oxford Reference offers more than 34,000 concise definitions and in-depth, specialist encyclopedic entries across this vast subject area. Written by trusted experts for researchers at every level, this indispensable resource provides a clear overview of Law and its essential components. It covers all major areas of the subject, including criminal and civil law; forensic science; taxation; international law; family and employment law; and major debates in legal theory. It also includes chronologies and charts to help readers gain an overview of the development of law throughout history and across cultures and continents. The articles also discuss and critique recent changes to legislation. They use clear and logical language, with footnotes only where they add depth and clarity to the main text. The articles are intended to be as accessible as possible to readers with varying degrees of knowledge and understanding of the legal landscape.