Law is a system of rules a community develops to deal with issues such as crime, business agreements, and social relationships. It is also the term used for the people who work in this system.
The four main purposes of the law are establishing standards, maintaining order, resolving disputes, and protecting liberties and rights. The laws we follow may be the product of government or custom and policy, or they may come from scripture or a religious authority. They can be either positive or natural law, which is based on principles of right reason and views of the nature of man and his constitution. Blackstone said that man’s laws should be consistent with God’s general law of nature. The Bible describes this general law as the Torah, the teachings of Moses (the Old Testament).
Whether we live in a democracy or a dictatorship, there are laws that govern us. In a democracy, our lawmakers are subject to the law just like all citizens, and the rule of law means that no one is above the law. In a dictatorship, there is no such concept as the rule of law, and it is more apt to break down in that type of regime than in a democracy.
In many countries, law includes both civil and criminal legal systems. For example, in the United States, civil law refers to lawsuits with non-criminal claims such as divorce, bankruptcy, and torts, whereas criminal law involves prosecution for crimes such as murder or theft. Some countries have customary legal systems, which are based on local practices that vary widely from country to country.