Law deals with rules and regulations that govern our society. It affects every aspect of our lives, from our family to our employment. It shapes our history, politics, and economy. It also serves as a mediator between people. There are many different types of law. These types of law are often categorized by their purpose.
Some of the most common laws concern the environment. Environmental law is concerned with the protection of wildlife and the environment. The Kyoto Protocol, for example, has increased the importance of environmental protection. Environmental laws are also used in domestic legal systems to punish polluters. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects endangered species.
In some cultures, the purpose of law is to keep peace, preserve the status quo, protect minorities, promote social justice, and provide orderly social change. Some legal systems achieve these ends better than others. Some authoritarian governments use law to suppress minorities or political opponents. Similarly, in the case of colonialism, the use of law was necessary to impose peace on a country.
Another kind of law is religious law. It is based on religious precepts. Examples of such laws include Jewish Halakha and Islamic Sharia, while Christian canon law still survives in some church communities. The definition of law in religion often implies that it is based on the unalterable word of God. However, detailed legal systems require human elaboration. In Islam, the Quran provides some law, which acts as a source for further law through reasoning by analogy, interpretation, and Ijma.