Law, also known as law, is the sum total of behavioral norms formulated or recognized by the state according to the interests and will of the ruling class and enforced by the state. It includes constitution, laws, decrees, administrative regulations, regulations, rules, customary laws and other written and unwritten laws.
Law belongs to the category of superstructure, which is determined by a certain economic base and serves it. Law is an important tool for the ruling class to realize its rule. It regulates people's behavior by stipulating people's rights and obligations, and its purpose is to maintain social relations and social order conducive to the ruling class.
The disintegration of ancient primitive commune system and the emergence of law were carried out at the same time, and law was the irreconcilable product of class contradictions. According to the first dictionary in China, Shuo Wen Jie Zi, it is recorded: "Law and punishment are as flat as water, from water. Method, so those who can't touch go straight. " Starting from the water, take its level, that is, the law is as flat as water, which means fairness. In many western languages, the meaning of "law" also has the meaning of "fairness" and "justice".
The word "law" in law can be divided into broad sense and narrow sense. Law in a broad sense is synonymous with law, and law in a narrow sense is one of the sources of law. Laws are normative documents formulated and promulgated by state organs with legislative power according to certain legislative procedures. In China, only the National People's Congress and its permanent organs have the power to make laws. In socialist countries, apart from the constitution, the law plays a leading role. Laws usually stipulate the most basic social relations and codes of conduct in social politics, economy and other social life.
Generally speaking, its effect is only lower than that of the Constitution, and all other administrative regulations and local regulations shall not contravene the law. Legal consciousness Legal consciousness is the general name of people's views and attitudes towards law and related legal phenomena. It is manifested in the discussion of legal phenomena by various legal theories, the interpretation and evaluation of existing laws, people's requirements for the law, their understanding of their rights and obligations, the degree of understanding, mastery and application of laws and legal systems, and the evaluation of whether the behavior is legal. Legal consciousness is a kind of social consciousness, which is closely related to people's world outlook and ethics. Different classes have different legal consciousness. The legal consciousness of the ruling class occupies a dominant position and plays a leading role in society.