Law is a set of rules that regulates behavior in society. These rules are created and enforced by social or governmental institutions, and they may contain penalties for those who violate them. The precise definition of law is a matter of longstanding debate, and it has been variously described as a science and as the art of justice.
For some, law is simply power: A tyrant who creates arbitrary orders, for example, will still have “law” in the sense that his followers will obey him regardless of whether those orders are good or bad. Others, however, see law as a tool for promoting public order and safety by establishing standards, maintaining stability, resolving disputes, and protecting liberties and rights.
The law should be clear, publicly available, stable and predictable over time, and apply equally to people of all backgrounds and social class. It should also ensure core human, property, and contract rights are protected by transparent, accessible, and impartial government processes that are free from corruption and other forms of official arbitrariness.
In addition to its role in protecting rights, the rule of law provides economic and developmental benefits to societies. These include the ability to plan over the long term, a secure environment in which to work and invest, access to a fair court system, and improved health and well-being outcomes. In short, a rule of law is an essential foundation for a prosperous and sustainable world. See also: