Law is a set of rules enforceable by social institutions. Its aim is to serve to ensure the rights of the people. Some of its common issues are family law, immigration, debt, and consumer rights.
Rule of law is an ideal in political tradition for millennia. Generally speaking, it means that people must respect and honor legal norms. This requires an impartial application of clearly drafted statutes.
Moreover, the rule of law ensures that no one is above the law. It helps protect minorities against majorities and maintain the status quo. A stable constitution is an example of a rule of law.
The concept of law arose from the ancient Greek philosophy. For instance, Aristotle considered man to be safer than written law. During the medieval period, theorists sought to distinguish between lawful and despotic forms of kingship.
In addition to ensuring human rights, law can also serve to maintain orderly social change and keep peace in a nation. Some examples of law are the rule of criminal procedure, evidence law, and transactional law.
The United Nations is committed to promoting the development of international law. One of its main objectives is the settling of international disputes. Through its Charter, the Organization calls on its members to take progressive steps towards enhancing the rule of law.
In the modern era, many debates have continued about the rule of law. Some of the key theories include the theories of Max Weber and F.A. Hayek.