Law*

Law can be defined in various ways: (a) as a regime for ordering society, (b) as a collection of rules, or (c) as a process for making decisions. To understand the role law plays in society, one must consider the different theories about law, different ways in which law is developed and applied, and [Page 566]a discussion about the sources of law. There are several different systems of law or legal culture, and there are a number of different philosophical approaches to law—systems of jurisprudence—that seek to define in broader terms what law is. This entry touches on many of these to provide an overview.