law

law, rules of conduct of any organized society, however simple or small, that are enforced by threat of punishment if they are violated. Modern law has a wide sweep and regulates many branches of conduct.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Anglo-American Law
• Roman Law and Its Influence
• Development of Early Law
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Law: Divisions and Codes