Law is the system of rules, codes of conduct and etiquettes that govern people in a society. It is also the governing body that sets the standards for acceptable behavior and punishes those who break these standards. The law is an important aspect of any society and it shapes politics, economics and history in many ways. It is an ever changing and growing subject that can be hard to study as no one theory of the law can capture all aspects of it.
Theories of the law are as vast as human behavior and imagination, making it difficult to come up with a simple definition. Some theories try to explain the law in a way that it can be understood by everybody, others are more specific and try to explain the law in terms of a certain area or situation.
The first theory of the law states that the law is a way to make sure everyone gets fair treatment. The law ensures that those who deserve to get the most benefit will receive it, and those who are doing more harm than good will be punished. This theory of the law is based on a society’s shared beliefs and values that all its members subscribe to.
Another theory of the law says that the purpose of the law is to maintain order in a society. It regulates human relationships by setting the boundaries of acceptable behavior, for example it makes adultery illegal. It also helps to settle disputes by providing a formal means of justice – the court system. It also establishes a level of standard for the minimum acceptable behaviour in a society such as by making it a crime to cause harm or damage property.