Positive law and non-positive law discussions[edit]

One definition is that law is a system of rules and guidelines which are
enforced through social institutions to govern behaviour.[2] In The
Concept of Law Hart argued law is a "system of rules";[47] Austin said
law was "the command of a sovereign, backed by the threat of a
sanction";[33] Dworkin describes law as an "interpretive concept" to
achieve justice in his text titled Law's Empire;[48] and Raz argues law is
an "authority" to mediate people's interests.[45] Holmes said "The
prophecies of what the courts will do in fact, and nothing more
pretentious, are what I mean by the law."[49] In his Treatise on
Law Aquinas argues that law is a rational ordering of things which
concern the common good that is promulgated by whoever is charged
with the care of the community.[50] This definition has
both positivist and naturalist elements.[51]