Taking a broad view of social theory, this book demonstrates the importance of this theory for the study of contemporary law. Through studies of the work of Weber, Durkheim, Gurvitch, Habermas, Luhmann, Derrida, Bourdieu, Foucault, Schmitt, Neumann and others, the essays address such fundamental topics as the changing forms of regulation, law's relations with morals and beliefs, law and democracy and prospects for the rule of law in the context of globalisation.

This book presents a distinctive approach to the study of law in society, focusing on the sociological interpretation of legal ideas. It surveys the development of connections between legal studies and social theory and locates its approach in relation to sociolegal studies on the one hand and legal philosophy on the other. It is suggested that the concept of law must be re-considered. Law has to be seen today not just as the law of the nation state, or international law that links nation states, but also as transnational law in many forms. A legal pluralist approach is not just a matter of...