Law is the collection of enforceable rules that govern social, economic and political relations. It is also a source of scholarly inquiry and raises many complex issues concerning equality, fairness and justice. Historically, law has shaped politics, history and economics in various ways. It can be divided into two general categories: (a) positive law, which refers to legal systems that codify and consolidate their laws; and (b) natural law, which refers to those ethical principles derived from human reason and the views of natural or divine revelation.
The main function of law is to maintain peace, order and the status quo, protect minorities against majorities, promote social change in an orderly way, protect property rights and provide for economic development. Different governments have different methods of doing these things. For example, a dictatorship may keep the peace and maintain the status quo, but it might oppress minorities or be inefficient at economic growth. On the other hand, a democratic government may be inefficient at maintaining the status quo, but it will promote social change in a more egalitarian manner than an autocracy.
In addition, law has a broader role in society, as it provides the foundation for civil discourse and the resolution of disputes. The rule of law is a principle based on the idea that all people, including the government itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated. The rule of law should protect against the Hobbesian war of all against all and ensure adherence to international human rights norms and standards.
Writing about law requires research skills, and students should develop these skills throughout their academic career. They should also become proficient in writing clearly and concisely, as well as using a wide vocabulary. Law students should also learn to use legal research tools, such as LexisNexis and Westlaw, in order to find recent court decisions, statutes and regulations.
Choosing a topic for an article about law is an important step. A law student should try to find a topic that is both relevant and interesting. The topic should be broad enough to allow for a range of perspectives, but narrow enough that the paper will have a clear focus.
Law is a vast field and covers virtually every aspect of life. Some of the most important areas include labour law, which deals with the tripartite industrial relationship between worker, employer and trade union, criminal law, which deals with offences against the state, and family law, which includes the rights of parents and children. In addition, the study of law involves issues such as contract law, administrative law, torts and constitutional law.
