command theory of law

The command theory of law, proposed by legal philosopher John Austin, suggests that laws are commands issued by a recognized authority, such as the government, and backed by the threat of punishment if not obeyed. In this view, laws are authoritative directives that stem from the will of the sovereign. They are not just rules or customs, but commands that prescribe or prohibit certain behaviors, and their legitimacy depends on the authority’s ability to enforce them. Essentially, laws are what officials order, and compliance is secured through the power to enforce penalties.