Comparative Law and Society, part of the Research Handbooks in Comparative Law series, is a pioneering volume that comprises 19 original essays written by expert authors from across the world. This innovative handbook offers both a history of the field of comparative law and society and a thorough exploration of its methods, disciplines, and major issues, presenting the most comprehensive look into this contemporary field to date. In Part I, Methods and Disciplines, contributors approach critical issues in comparative law and society from a variety of academic fields, including sociology, criminology, anthropology, economics, political science, and psychology. This multidisciplinary approach highlights the importance of addressing the variance of perspectives inherent to the field. In Part II, Core Issues, chapters offer an exploration of major legal institutions, processes, professionals, and cultures associated with particular legal subjects. Since authors utilize the perspective of at least two different legal systems, this book offers a truly thorough and wide-ranging focus. The general reader, as well as students and scholars, will find this handbook useful in their continuing explorations into the interaction between law and society. Practitioners such as lawyers and judges with an interest in global perspectives of law will also find much to admire in this innovative volume. Contributors: M. Adler, N. Brewer, D.S. Clark, R. Cotterrell, B.L. Cutler, T. Ginsburg, M. Goodale, C. Guarnieri, R. Horry, B. Luppi, S.C. McCaffrey, E. Mertz, D. Nelken, F. Pakes, M.A. Palmer, F. Parisi, J.T. Polk, J.C. Reitz, R.E. Salcido, S. Stendahl, J.C. Suk, G.A. Tarr, S.C. Thaman, K. van Aeken, H.J. Wiarda

First published in 1987, this book is an attempt to re-establish semiotic on the basis of principles consistent with its past history, rather than the 'cultural semiotics' of the European tradition, and especially with the guiding ideas of Peirce and Morris. The book is divided into two parts, with the first two chapters providing the background for the more systematic discussions of signs at different levels taken up in the last three. In the final chapter issues that have become the focus of recent philosophy of language regarding the reference, meaning, and truth of sentences are discussed in light of the analogies to more primitive signs developed in the preceding two chapters.

As issues in American law turn up with ever-greater frequency in dozens of countries worldwide, some familiarity with the legal system of the United States of America has become de rigueur for practising lawyers everywhere. This incomparable handbook, now in its Second Edition, provides an authoritative description of the major elements, including all matters likely to emerge in the course of normal legal activity. Written from a clear and cogent comparative perspective, it is of great practical value for both counselling and courtroom use. Eighteen lucid chapters by distinguished American law professors, each of whom is also knowledgeable about a legal system outside that of the United States, explain the major laws, legal standards, and legal institutions of the United States. Substantive and procedural comparisons are presented in plain English, with appropriate commentary where deemed helpful to clarify particularly complex or unsettled matters. The resulting volume is an expert historical, systematic, and critical introduction to the law of the United States.

Comparative Law and Society, part of the Research Handbooks in Comparative Law series, is a pioneering volume that comprises 19 original essays written by expert authors from across the world. This innovative handbook offers both a history of the field of comparative law and society and a thorough exploration of its methods, disciplines, and major issues, presenting the most comprehensive look into this contemporary field to date. In Part I, Methods and Disciplines, contributors approach critical issues in comparative law and society from a variety of academic fields, including sociology, criminology, anthropology, economics, political science, and psychology. This multidisciplinary approach highlights the importance of addressing the variance of perspectives inherent to the field. In Part II, Core Issues, chapters offer an exploration of major legal institutions, processes, professionals, and cultures associated with particular legal subjects. Since authors utilize the perspective of at least two different legal systems, this book offers a truly thorough and wide-ranging focus. The general reader, as well as students and scholars, will find this handbook useful in their continuing explorations into the interaction between law and society. Practitioners such as lawyers and judges with an interest in global perspectives of law will also find much to admire in this innovative volume. Contributors: M. Adler, N. Brewer, D.S. Clark, R. Cotterrell, B.L. Cutler, T. Ginsburg, M. Goodale, C. Guarnieri, R. Horry, B. Luppi, S.C. McCaffrey, E. Mertz, D. Nelken, F. Pakes, M.A. Palmer, F. Parisi, J.T. Polk, J.C. Reitz, R.E. Salcido, S. Stendahl, J.C. Suk, G.A. Tarr, S.C. Thaman, K. van Aeken, H.J. Wiarda

First published in 1987, this book is an attempt to re-establish semiotic on the basis of principles consistent with its past history, rather than the 'cultural semiotics' of the European tradition, and especially with the guiding ideas of Peirce and Morris. The book is divided into two parts, with the first two chapters providing the background for the more systematic discussions of signs at different levels taken up in the last three. In the final chapter issues that have become the focus of recent philosophy of language regarding the reference, meaning, and truth of sentences are discussed in light of the analogies to more primitive signs developed in the preceding two chapters.

This book details both the intellectual and social history of American legal rules, institutions, ideology, and culture that had a foreign component, either by import or after 1900 also by export from the United States to other legal systems. Combining legal history and comparative law, the volume proceeds chronologically through seven historical periods. These begin with the religious and cultural diversity that existed in the 13 British colonies and its relevance for legal development, especially involving Roman and natural law. The legal foundation for the new republic established a golden age for comparative law, followed by the formative era for American law, characterized by a shift from public to private law, territorial expansion, resistance to English law, and interest in codification. German historical jurisprudence and learned law then took hold in the United States after the Civil War. The twentieth century saw sustained scholarly comparative law. Motivated by idealistic as well as practical concerns, U.S. jurists began to export American legal ideas about law and government, an effort that re-emerged after World War II. Comparatists established a scholarly organization that considered a variety of issues ranging from private international law to comparative legal sociology. The 1990s, a decade of opportunities for comparative law, reflected accelerated globalization following the collapse of the Soviet Union. This, and the later return of nationalism, presented jurists with new challenges in understanding the place for rule of law and other legal transplants among the world's nations. Interest in legal cultures and interdisciplinary methodology aided the inquiry.

As issues in American law turn up with ever-greater frequency in dozens of countries worldwide, some familiarity with the legal system of the United States of America has become de rigueur for practising lawyers everywhere. This incomparable handbook, now in its Second Edition, provides an authoritative description of the major elements, including all matters likely to emerge in the course of normal legal activity. Written from a clear and cogent comparative perspective, it is of great practical value for both counselling and courtroom use. Eighteen lucid chapters by distinguished American law professors, each of whom is also knowledgeable about a legal system outside that of the United States, explain the major laws, legal standards, and legal institutions of the United States. Substantive and procedural comparisons are presented in plain English, with appropriate commentary where deemed helpful to clarify particularly complex or unsettled matters. The resulting volume is an expert historical, systematic, and critical introduction to the law of the United States.