Roles of law in society - Society is the collection of individuals united by certain relations and modes of behaviours. It is a mutual relationship between individuals which bounds them to live in a group. And law is necessary to regulate human behavior and maintain peace and order in society. The following are the roles and importance of law in society :
Roles of law in society
- Law is an instrument of regulating human behavior: Law is made to regulate human behaviors and conduct. Austin says that law is a command of the sovereign backed by sanctions. He also says that law is a rule laid down by an intelligent human being for the guidance of another human being. Law controls the activities of people and maintain peace and security in the society. e.g. criminal law prevents crime and illegal activities in society by regulating human behavior by charging punishment to criminals. Human beings have to conduct their activities according to the law otherwise they may be punished.
- Law is an instrument of social control: Law is the most powerful instrument of social control because it controls all the activities of society. Everyone must follow rules and regulations created by authority and if anyone disobeys laws then he/she will be punished. Law controls the human behaviors of society and creates a sense of living in a society with mutual understanding.
- Law is and instrument of social change: Law and society keep on changing as per the time and situations. Law changes society and society also changes the law. Society can changed only through the powerful instrumentality of law. In the past, there were many bad customs like sati paths and, the slavery system but now the law has abolished such systems. Many laws have been made to change society according to time and situations like the Gender Equality Act, 2064 etc.
- Law is an instrument of environmental protection: Law also helps to protect the environment of society. Environmental law is a law relating to the environment. It deals with the management of the environment and strategies for tackling the problems affecting the environment. The law prohibits unnecessary and unwanted activities that affect the environment and keep the environment secure. Article 30 of the constitution of Nepal states that everyone has the right to live in a clean environment and any activities which harm the environment are punishable. And Nepal government has also made the Environment Protection Act, 2076 to protect and maintain environmental stability.
- Law is an instrument of social welfare: Social welfare is the main objective of the welfare state and every state tries to provide more social welfare to its citizens. Law provides every individual with an equal opportunity to improve themselves. According to Bentham, the main aim of the law is to achieve the maximum happiness of the maximum number of people. For example, free education, old pensions and free health insurance etc.
- Law is an instrument of justice: Justice is the main aim of making law. Justice is the end of law. Law is only the means to achieve justice. Article 20 of the constitution provides rights relating to justice. Justice is how people are treated equally and fairly. The law gives justice to victims and punishment to wrongdoers. Justice must be fair, right and reasonable. There is a popular saying that Justice delayed is justice denied. According to Salmond, law is the body of principles recognized and applied by the state in the enforcement of justice. The significance of law can be ensured only through justice.
- Law is an instrument of social engineering: Roscoe Pound says law is social engineering. Social engineering means balancing the conflicting interests of society i.e. individual interests, social interests and national interests. When there is conflict between various interests then balance is made between them by mediation and conciliation which is called social engineering.
- Law is an instrument of development: Development is the need of current society and law helps the society to be developed by making plans and policies relating to development. Development is possible only with the help of law and we can’t imagine development without any effective laws and regulations. So law is the most important instrument that plays the most important role in social development.
Read Also: What do you mean by law?