From the earliest of times people have gathered together with others to form groups for the purpose, amongst other things, of protection and mutual assistance. After forming a group, the members set up a structure for organising and regulating themselves. Some chief or leader is appointed and often a council of elders or wise people are chosen or elected to assist her or him. Rules to govern that body of people are made, certain of the members are given responsibility for carrying out and enforcing the rules, and provision is made for what is to
happen when disputes occur. On a small scale that body of people is a community and on a larger scale such a body of people is a nation or a state.
An essential element of any system of rules regulating people is that it is not static but adapts to meet the needs of the community or state as it changes over time.