Law is a set of rules that regulates people’s behaviour and is enforced by a controlling authority through penalties. It shapes politics, economics, history and society in many ways. Law reflects and embodies the values of a society in various forms, including customary practices, constitutionally encoded rights and societal expectations. For example, due process (fundamental fairness and decency in government actions) is a value expressed by the concept of a law against insider trading or a legal rule prohibiting cruelty to animals. The study of law also focuses on deeper dimensions of the concept of law, such as morality and power.
The term ‘law’ can be used to describe a wide variety of strong rules that must be followed, from your parents’ house rules to a strict contract that you sign with your employer. The main distinction between these is enforcement and consequence: you are not likely to be jailed for not eating five fruits and vegetables a day, but you may be fined or lose your job if you embezzle money from the company.
A more formal definition of law is a system of laws that is publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated and that respects international human rights norms and standards. The guiding principles of the ‘rule of law’ are supremacy of the law, equality before the law, public transparency and participation in decision-making, separation of powers, legal certainty, avoidance of arbitrariness, and access to justice by competent and impartial representatives and neutrals.