Society is the collection of individuals united by certain relations and modes of behavior. It is a mutual relationship between individuals that binds them to live in a group. The law is necessary to regulate human behavior and maintain peace and order in society. The law plays an important role in changing and developing society according to changing times. The following are the roles of the law in society:
law is an instrument for regulating human behavior
The law is made to regulate human behavior and conduct. Austin says that law is the command of a sovereign backed by sanctions. He also says that a law is a rule laid down by an intelligent human being for the guidance of another human being. The law controls the activities of people and maintains peace and security in 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
The 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 the laws, he/she will be punished. The law controls the human behaviors of society and creates a sense of living in a society with mutual understanding.
law is an instrument of social change
Law and society keep changing as per the times and situations. The law changes society, and society also changes the law. Society can change only through the powerful instrumentality of the 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 of 1964, etc.
law is an instrument of environmental protection
The law also helps to protect the environment in 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 it secure. Article 30 of the constitution of Nepal states that everyone has the right to live in a clean environment, and any activities that harm the environment are punishable. And the Nepali government has also passed 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 is trying to provide more social welfare to its citizens. The law provides every individual with an equal opportunity to improve themselves. According to Bentham, the main aim of the law is to achieve maximum happiness for a maximum number of people. For example, free education, old pensions free health insurance, etc.
law is an instrument of justice
Justice is the main aim of making laws. Justice is the end of the law. The 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 the 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, a balance is made between them through 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.
In conclusion, we can say that law and society are the two sides of the same coin because law is made for society and if there is no society then there is no use in making law. Law is an important element and law is necessary to regulate different sectors of society and lead society towards the way of development. Therefore, we can say that there are many important roles law of in society. Day by day the importance and roles of law in society are increasing.
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