Law is a system of rules created by social or governmental institutions to control behavior and provide an orderly way for society to function. It is enforced through sanction, which may include fines, imprisonment or loss of property. It is used to regulate business and public services, protect citizens from terrorism and crime, and ensure that people’s basic human, procedural and property rights are protected. Law shapes politics, economics, history and society in many ways, and is often a source of conflict. Law is also a field of study and legal practice.

It is difficult to give a precise definition of law, as different legal systems and individuals have widely divergent ideas about what it means. However, most definitions of law have something in common: that it is a set of rules created by a state to establish order and prevent violence. It is not a form of coercion, but it can be used to punish those who break it.

Depending on the specific laws in place, it can be classified as civil, criminal or administrative law. Civil law relates to disputes between individuals, such as claims for compensation after an accident or defamation. Criminal law applies to crimes against the state, such as murder and robbery. Administrative law is the regulation of a particular sector of the economy or of government activities. For example, banking laws set minimum standards for banks, while environmental law regulates industries that use natural resources such as energy and water.

Some legal systems have a religious basis. For example, Jewish Halakha and Islamic Sharia law are based on religious precepts, which are then elaborated upon by human interpretation and judicial precedent. Other legal systems are based on scientific principles, such as those of the natural law school.

The laws of a nation can be made by a group legislature, resulting in statutes; by the executive, resulting in decrees and regulations; or through the judiciary process, resulting in court decisions. The laws can also be created by private individuals, such as contracts and arbitration agreements, and be binding on all parties.

Law is often seen as a tool for controlling the world and promoting social justice, although some systems of law are more successful at this than others. For example, an authoritarian regime might keep the peace and maintain the status quo, but it might also oppress minorities or political opponents. Conversely, a democratic country might be more inclusive in its treatment of immigrants and homosexuals. These differences reflect the broader debate about what the purpose of law should be. This debate is a vital part of the study of law. It contributes to an understanding of the limits of the power of law and the importance of checks on that power.