Laws against defamation and breach of contract primarily represent which legal area in Western nations?

Laws against defamation and breach of contract are rooted in civil law, which governs disputes between individuals and entities, often involving compensation for damages rather than criminal penalties. Civil law encompasses a wide range of cases dealing with private rights and liabilities, and both defamation and breach of contract fall under this umbrella.

In defamation cases, an individual or entity seeks to prove that false statements have been made about them that harm their reputation, which is a personal right. Similarly, breach of contract involves situations where one party fails to fulfill their obligations under a legally binding agreement, impacting the other party's rights and expectations. The resolutions for these issues typically involve monetary damages or specific performance rather than incarceration, which distinguishes civil law from criminal law.

Other legal areas listed in the options do not encompass defamation and breach of contract in the same way. Criminal law deals with offenses against the state and public order, international law governs relationships between nations, and constitutional law focuses on the principles set forth in a nation's constitution. Therefore, the correct assertion that these laws are part of civil law aligns with their focus on individual rights and remedies in civil disputes.