In this stimulating volume, Larry D. Barnett locates a fundamental defect in widespread assumptions regarding the institution of law. He asserts that scholarship on law is being led astray by currently accepted beliefs about the institution, and as a result progress in understanding law as a societal institution will be impeded until a more accurate view of law is accepted. This book takes on this challenge.The Place of Law addresses two questions that are at the heart of the institution of law. Why is law an evidently universal, enduring institution in societies characterized by a relatively high level of economic development and a relatively high degree of social complexity? And why do the concepts and doctrines of the institution of law differ between jurisdictions (states or nations) at one point in time and vary within a particular jurisdiction over time? These two questions, Barnett believes, should be prominent in any study of law.The framework for law Barnett proposes is concerned with activities that are fundamental aspects of social organization, that is, activities that are deeply embedded in social life. His viewpoint is grounded on a body of quantitative research pertinent to the societal sources and limits of law. Barnett argues that this perspective applies only to law in sovereign, democratic nations that are economically advanced and socially complex. In other environments, law's place as a societal institution is less secure. This innovative perspective will do much to enhance understanding and appreciation of the role of law in modern societies.

In this stimulating volume, Larry D. Barnett locates a fundamental defect in widespread assumptions regarding the institution of law. He asserts that scholarship on law is being led astray by currently accepted beliefs about the institution, and as a result progress in understanding law as a societal institution will be impeded until a more accurate view of law is accepted. This book takes on this challenge.

The Place of Law addresses two questions that are at the heart of the institution of law. Why is law an evidently universal, enduring institution in societies characterized by a relatively high level of economic development and a relatively high degree of social complexity? And why do the concepts and doctrines of the institution of law differ between jurisdictions (states or nations) at one point in time and vary within a particular jurisdiction over time? These two questions, Barnett believes, should be prominent in any study of law.

The framework for law Barnett proposes is concerned with activities that are fundamental aspects of social organization, that is, activities that are deeply embedded in social life. His viewpoint is grounded on a body of quantitative research pertinent to the societal sources and limits of law. Barnett argues that this perspective applies only to law in sovereign, democratic nations that are economically advanced and socially complex. In other environments, law's place as a societal institution is less secure. This innovative perspective will do much to enhance understanding and appreciation of the role of law in modern societies.

Based on sophisticated demographic analysis, Legal Construct, Social Concept argues that legal doctrine on social issues is shaped by the needs and values of society rather than by individuals and interest groups and that it evolves in response to social change but has little impact on that change. The book also explains why a substantial body of social science research has found that although law may be effective for some types of economic problems, its impact on social problems is generally small and of brief duration. At least in the United States, legal doctrine seems to operate primarily to provide symbols that enhance commitment to the social system and increase the cohesiveness of the system.

Barnett's approach to legal thought derives from the practices and assumptions of the social sciences, particularly sociology, and not from those of critical legal studies. His main concern is with social issues issues that substantively differ from economic issues. In addressing legal thought on social problems with the conceptual framework and quantitative techniques of macrosociology, he considers a topic that is infrequently investigated and employs an approach that is infrequently used.

To illustrate this thesis, Barnett presents data on social patterns relevant to three current issues: sex discrimination, age discrimination, and the availability of contraception and abortion. His analyses of these data are compared to constitutional philosophy, judicial rulings, and federal statutes. Barnett then turns from the evolution of legal doctrine in the past to its possible change in the future and considers whether active forms of euthanasia are likely to be legalized. He concludes with an exploration of additional issues for future research and theory.