Synopsis The rule of law fundamental to any democratic order. In a free society each and every man lives under a rule of Law, as opposed to a whim-ridden rule of men. Respect for law is what distinguishes a civilized order from the primitive and the anarchist. The elements of a well functioning legal system ultimately depend on the culture context in which it operates. To be successful legal systems should provide access to all citizens requiring their services, operate with a reasonable amount of efficiency and timeliness, make decisions and resolve conflicts in line with legal norms and widely held values, and operate in a predictable, transparent, and effective fashion. This book provides conceptual tools for understanding law and its role in society. Besides practicing and future lawyers, this book will be valuable to students and academics from various fields of social sciences.