Humanities

===Law===
[[File:Microcosm of London Plate 058 - Old Bailey edited.jpg|thumb|right|A trial at a criminal court, the [[Old Bailey]] in [[London]]]]{{Main|Law}} In everyday language, [[law]] refers to a rule that is enforced by a governing institution, as opposed to a moral or ethical rule that is not subject to formal enforcement.<ref>{{cite book|title=Crimes Against Humanity|first=Geoffrey| last=Robertson| author-link=Geoffrey Robertson|year=2006| publisher=Penguin|page=90| isbn=978-0-14-102463-9}}</ref> The study of law can be seen as either a [[social science]] or a humanities discipline, depending on one's perspective. Some see it as a social science because of its objective and measurable nature, while others view it as a humanities discipline because of its focus on values and interpretation. Law is not always enforceable, especially in the international relations context. Law has been defined in various ways, such as "a system of rules",<ref name=":1" /> "an interpretive concept" for achieving justice,<ref name=":2" /> "an authority" to mediate between people's interests,<ref name=":3" />or "the command of a sovereign" backed by the threat of punishment.<ref name=":4" />

However one likes to think of law, it is a completely central social institution. Legal policy is shaped by the practical application of ideas from many social science and humanities disciplines, including philosophy, history, political science, economics, anthropology, and sociology. Law is [[politics]], because politicians create them. Law is [[philosophy]], because moral and ethical persuasions shape their ideas. Law tells many of [[history]]'s stories, because statutes, case law and codifications build up over time. Law is also economics, because any rule about [[contract]], [[tort]], [[property law]], [[labour law]], [[company law]] and many more can have long-lasting effects on how productivity is organised and the distribution of wealth. The noun ''law'' derives from the [[Old English language|Old English]] ''word lagu'', meaning something laid down or fixed,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=law&searchmode=none |title=Etymonline Dictionary |access-date=2007-08-14 |archive-date=2017-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702150018/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=law&searchmode=none |url-status=live }}</ref> and the adjective ''legal'' comes from the Latin word ''LEX''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/legal |title=Merriam-Webster's Dictionary |access-date=2007-08-14 |archive-date=2007-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230025618/http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/legal |url-status=live }}</ref>