Political Science

There are numerous definitions of law.  Austin Ranney (1995) defines law as the body of rules emanating from the government and enforceable by the courts (332). On the other hand, according to Letlaw.com laws are the rules established by a governing authority to institute and maintain orderly coexistence.  (Law, p.1) Answers.com defines laws as the rules of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority. (Law, 2010, p.1)

The Legal Services Commission of South Australia defines laws as the products of the social conditions at the time they are made. The law is not static. Just as relationships between people or between people and the Government are not fixed permanently, so the law changes by responding to the current social and political values of the dominant culture. As societies become more complex so too does the law. It governs our private relationships through contract,  HYPERLINK httpwww.lawhandbook.sa.gov.augo01.php l id4106109 o A civil (q.v.) wrong, an act which causes harm, intentionally or otherwise, for which the remedy is an action for unliquidated (q.v.) damages. tort, property, succession, trust and family law as well as our public relationships with the State through criminal, constitutional and administrative law. (What is a Law p.1)

Sanchez Roman defines laws as the science of moral laws based on the rational nature of man which governs his free activity for the realization of individual and social ends, and which by its very nature is demandable and reciprocal.

Andrei Marmor (2007) defines laws as normative social practices that purports to guide human behavior and gives rise to reasons for action.

These definitions however are quite complex.  In order to simplify the definition of law and to make it more understandable, laws can be defined as the rules of conduct which are just and obligatory that are promulgated by legitimate authority for the common observance and benefit.
This definition is comprehensive enough to encompass the previous definitions but it has more clarity.  A law is a rule of conduct because it governs human behavior.  It regulates the behavior by defining what acts are legal and what acts are illegal.  It also states when an act or omission is illegal. Thus, if a law says that a particular action should not be done the act should not be done otherwise a corresponding punishment shall be imposed.  In the same manner, if the law says that a particular action should be done then the act should be done otherwise a corresponding punishment shall be imposed.

Laws must be just.  If law were to regulate human behavior it should be just.  A just law is one which is for the common benefit and applies to everyone regardless of a persons class, social status, rank, nationality, race, or religion. A just law is passed for the benefit of the public not the authority who passed the law.

Laws are obligatory because it is everybodys duty to obey the law.  No person is exempted from the observance of a law.  In fact, it is not a defense that a person does not know the existence of a particular law to be excused from compliance as stated in the Latin legal maxim which is Ignorantia legis non excusat. Thus, a person cannot allege that he does not know that there is a law against driving under the influence of alcohol to be excused from compliance with the law.

Laws are promulgated by a legitimate authority because all laws are passed by the lawmaking bodies of a country.  In the United States, the House of Representatives enact, amend, and repeal laws.  Under the constitution, it is empowered to enact laws that shall be obligatory upon everybody.  This authority is constitutionally conferred upon the House of Representatives.

Laws are promulgated for the common observance and benefit because they are passed for the benefit of everybody.  Laws seek the promotion of general welfare so that everybody will benefit from it.