Law is the set of practices, rules and customs geared to control human behavior and keep societal order. It also addresses issues of justice, morality, reason and honesty from both judicial and societal viewpoints.
The definition of Law is not always clear. Some scholars have argued that a law is any strong rule made by a sovereign that must be followed. This could include a simple suggestion like “eat five fruits and vegetables a day” to more complex orders such as the “defend your home” command during a war. Others argue that only laws backed by the threat of force or power are truly legal. In this view, tyrants who torture and execute political opponents or minority Sunni Muslims are obeying the law of their nation.
Other scholars have defined law more narrowly as a system of jurisprudence. This includes the study of legal philosophy, the history of law and its relations to other subjects such as religion, politics and economics.
Law permeates all aspects of society regulating relationships, governance, commerce and individual rights. Its complexity and evolution underscore its importance for human civilization. Banking law, for example, regulates the amount of capital banks must hold and sets standards for best investment practice. Utility law covers the regulation of public services such as energy, water and telecommunications. Criminal law covers everything from police interrogations to Miranda warnings and the process of bringing criminal cases to trial. Similarly, family law governs marriage, divorce and child custody, while property law concerns the ownership of real and personal property.