Law is a set of rules created and enforced by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior. Laws may be made by a legislative body, resulting in statutes, or they can be established by executive decrees and regulations, or they can be created by judges in common law jurisdictions through judicial precedent. Law can also be based on religious precepts, such as the Jewish Halakha or Islamic Sharia.

When people disagree with one another, law helps them resolve their disputes peacefully. It also protects their freedoms and rights. When government officials, police or other public servants violate the law, the law provides a way for citizens to hold them accountable. The law can help a society grow and change in a more ordered way.

The law shapes politics, economics, history and society in many ways. It enables governments to establish standards and maintain order, and it provides an effective mechanism for resolving disputes and protecting individual rights. It also promotes social justice and a sense of fairness between all members of a society. Some legal systems, such as those of authoritarian states, do not promote these goals well.

In the modern world, a law degree is viewed as one of the most respected professional degrees that can be earned. This is because the law is seen as an intellectual, rigorous and challenging field that requires a great deal of effort and dedication. Law teaches you how to think critically, communicate clearly and work effectively with others. It also teaches you the importance of having a passion for justice and fairness.