The Basics of Law
Law is the system of rules that a government creates and which citizens must follow to be safe and secure. If someone breaks the law, they can be fined or put in jail.
Legal systems can serve many purposes, including keeping the peace, maintaining the status quo, preserving individual rights, protecting minorities against majorities, promoting social justice, and providing for orderly social change. Some legal systems do better than others at these tasks.
Legislation, regulation and court cases are the main ways that laws are made and applied in society. Congress is the main lawmaking body of the federal government. It can make or repeal laws.
State laws are made by the legislatures of each state. These laws can be challenged by courts if they don’t agree with the state’s constitution.
Federal laws are made by the president and Congress. They are also made by agencies and boards that are given the power to make them.
Property laws regulate the ownership of real estate and other physical possessions, as well as intangible assets such as bank accounts and shares of stock. Competition law is the study of how businesses compete in a market, and includes rules against monopolies or cartels that manipulate prices.
It spreads far beyond the core subjects into virtually every area of life. Three categories are presented for convenience, although the subjects intertwine and overlap.