Law refers to governmental social control, representing a formal system of rules and regulations enacted and enforced by political authorities to govern behaviour and maintain social order within a society. Laws are typically written down and specify both the behaviours that are prohibited or required and the sanctions or penalties that will be applied when violations occur. The legal system includes various institutions, such as legislatures that create laws, law enforcement agencies that enforce them, and courts that interpret laws and adjudicate disputes. Law plays a crucial role in establishing norms, resolving conflicts, protecting rights, and providing a framework for social interaction in complex societies. The legitimacy and effectiveness of law depend on its acceptance by the people it governs and its consistent and fair application.