Law is a system of rules governing the behaviour of people and societies. It can serve as an instrument of social and political order, preserve individual rights, protect minorities from the majority, and promote social justice. Some legal systems are better suited to these purposes than others. Authoritarian regimes, for instance, tend to oppress minorities and political opponents, whereas those with democratic institutions protect the rights of people and prevent abuses of power.
There are many types of legal issues, which arise both in planned and unexpected situations. These issues can involve family matters, issues at work, or even a charge of a crime. Other common legal matters include immigration, consumer rights, debt, housing, and money. Government websites are an excellent source of information about the criminal justice system, consumer rights, and other areas of the law.
Some jurists argue that the Rule of Law has an affinity with private property. Ronald Cass argues that an individual’s commitment to the rule of law includes protection of property rights. However, Richard Epstein argues that the rule of law and private property can be separated. However, he accepts that there is only a limited connection between them. He argues that forms of regulation that threaten private property violate the Rule of Law.
The Rule of Law has been an important political ideal for millennia. Without considering its historical heritage, modern understandings of the Rule of Law are incomplete.