legal rules

• What has law been described as?

  A formal mechanism of social control.
• What actually is the law?

  A set of rules imposed and enforced by the state.
• In criminal law, what happens if you break the law?

  There are penalties for breaking the law.
• In civil law, what happens if you break rules?

  The courts can order the party who has broken the rules to compensate the innocent party.
• "Norms of behaviour develop over time", how is the law different?

  Laws can change instantly.
• "Norms of behaviour ought to be obeyed", how are laws different?

  Laws must be obeyed.
• "Norms of behaviour are enforced by the disapproval of the community", how are laws differently?

  Laws are enforced by the courts.
• "Norms of behaviour are voluntary and apply only to those who accept them", how are laws different?

  Laws are obligatory and apply to everyone.