Does Legal Theory Have a Pluralism Problem?

2020 ◽  
pp. 266-298
Author(s):  
Cormac Mac Amhlaigh
Keyword(s):  
Legal Theory ◽  
The State ◽  
State Law ◽  
Weak Claim ◽  
Strong Claim

Legal theory has been criticized by legal pluralists on the grounds that it has a “pluralism problem.” In a nutshell, legal theory’s pluralism problem stems from the fact that it explicitly or implicitly assumes the model of state law whenever it refers to law. This is problematic both because such a state-based conception of law fails to capture myriad nonstate forms of law existing in different contexts and because it runs the risk of supporting oppression in postcolonial contexts where indigenous laws are pushed out by colonial laws which conform to the (state-based) legal theoretical paradigm. This chapter focuses on the former, analytical, limb of legal theory’s pluralism problem by breaking the problem down into three specific claims; two which pluralists argue legal theory defends: a strong claim—that all law is necessarily state law; an intermediate claim—that state law is a paradigmatic or the “best” form of law; and one made by pluralists about legal theory: a weak claim that legal theory has unwarrantedly neglected nonstate forms of law. It analyzes each claim in turn reviewing the relevant claims in legal theory. It concludes that if legal theory does have a pluralism problem, and the analysis undertaken in this chapter suggests that it might in some respects, it is not a particularly profound one. As such, much of the resources of legal theory can be adopted to capture a wide variety of both extant and new emergent forms of nonstate law.

A Transnational Concept of Law

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Patrick Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Legal Theory ◽  
The State ◽  
Western World ◽  
State Law ◽  
Significant Development ◽  
State Laws ◽  
State Institutions ◽  
Western Law ◽  
Concept Of Law

Most of the legal theory of the last four centuries, in the Western world, has been state-centred. It has justified the existence of states, facilitated their expansion, conceptualized their sources and structures, sought to resolve their conflicts, and developed their law. The state has even been taken, in much of this writing, as the exclusive source of law. There are indications, however, that this theoretical preoccupation with state structures, state institutions, and state laws may now be in decline. This would be a significant development, a historical shift in emphasis in the conceptualization of Western law. It would not, however, mean the end of states or of state law, but rather their contextualization. States and state law would exist in a larger field of normativity. This would entail recognition of a wider range of sources of law and a wider range of relations between laws and between peoples. To attempt to understand these processes, and the extent of their progression, this article examines what we know, or think we know, of the relations between law and the state, before turning to current efforts to develop a transnational concept of law.

Emmanuel Melissaris, Ubiquitous Law: Legal Theory and the Space for Legal Pluralism (2009) (Aldershot, UK: Ashgate, 2009) [ISBN 978-0-7546-2542-1] [Ubiquitous Law]. All page references in parenthesis are to this book.

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-182
Author(s):  
Seán Patrick Donlan
Keyword(s):  
Legal Theory ◽  
Legal Pluralism ◽  
The State ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
State Law ◽  
Descriptive Theory ◽  
In Parenthesis ◽  
Popular Control

A broad assortment of contemporary approaches to legal and normative complexity have challenged state law’s claim of dominance and exclusivity. In Ubiquitous law: Legal Theory and the Space for Legal Pluralism (2009), Emmanuel Melissaris similarly seeks to ground the ‘legal’ in what he calls ‘shared normative commitments’. As with much ‘legal pluralism’, his focus on normativity rejects long-established conventional concepts of law. Indeed, for Melissaris, state law may not even properly qualify as ‘law’. But understood as a descriptive theory of normativity, the dynamic legal-normative web he outlines has much to recommend it. It is certainly superior to the continuing narrow concentration of jurisprudes on state law and law-like regimes. Less convincing is Melissaris’ prescriptive suggestion, with ‘critical legal pluralists’, that illustrating the degree to which legal-normative reform occurs beyond the state and its laws promises liberation. Shared normative commitments do not necessarily result in popular control as existing social structures and power relationships remain. We may be ensnared rather than emancipated. On the whole, however, Melissaris has made a sophisticated and substantial contribution to our understanding of legal and normative plurality. His book deserves to be widely read.

scholarly journals La superación del paradigma territorial y sus efectos en el Derecho Administrativo. Bases normativas del Derecho Administrativo transnacional // The overcoming of territorial paradigm and its effects in Administrative Law. Normative Basis of Transnational Administrative Law

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (103) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Jorge Agudo González
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
International Law ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Legal Theory ◽  
Administrative Law ◽  
The State ◽  
Private International Law ◽  
State Law ◽  
Public Power ◽  
Normative Basis

Resumen:El Derecho Administrativo aborda con creciente frecuencia fenómenos jurídicos que podemos denominar como «transnacionales». Esta calificación se debe a que no son susceptibles de una ordenación integral por el Derecho Administrativo estatal. En este estudio abordamos el análisis de esos fenómenos jurídicos desde la perspectiva del principio de territorialidad. El objetivo es mostrar los efectos de la incompatibilidad de fenómenos inherentes a la globalización con el paradigma de la territorialidad del Derecho Administrativo y su concepción estatutaria como Derecho del Estado. El estudio comienza con una exposición sobre la trascendencia del principio de territorialidad en la Teoría General del Estado y en la Teoría jurídica; esta parte analiza la relevancia del territorio como base y límite del poder público, y en las relaciones con otros ordenamientos. A continuación, el estudio aborda los fenómenos jurídicos alumbrados en el contexto actual de fragmentación y pluralismo jurídico, para mostrar una realidad jurídica que condiciona la capacidad explicativa del principio de territorialidad. La constatación de la superación del paradigma territorial del Derecho Administrativo provoca la necesidad de afrontar las consecuencias de ese panorama jurídico transformador. El estudio muestra cómo la desterritorialización del Derecho tiene implicaciones directas no sólo en las relaciones entre órdenes normativos, sino también en la summa divisio, al igual que en la vis autoritaria que tradicionalmente ha caracterizado al Derecho Administrativo. Estas transformaciones abren paso a un Derecho Administrativo no exclusivamente estatal, basado en relaciones interordinamentales y focalizado en relaciones jurídicas dinámicas. SummaryI. Introduction. II. The Territoriality Principle in the State General Theory and in the Legal Theory. 1. The territoriality and exclusivity principles of sovereign power. 2. State law «toward outward». 2.1. Foundations of international law. 2.2. Conflicts of laws and private international Law. III. The Loss of Centrality of the Territoriality Principle. 1. The overcoming of the exclusivity of State law. 1.1. Legal fragmentation and international (private) «norms». 1.2. Administrativelaw is international law and vice versa. 1.3. Relations between State legal orders. 2. The overcoming of the division public law versus private law. IV. Final Remarks: the «Relational Character» of the Transnational Administrative Law. 1. From the exclusivity and the completness of the State Administrative Law to the relations between legal orders and conflicts of law. 2. From an authoritarian conception centered in static legal status, to a conception ex parte civium and focused on dynamic legal relationships. Abstract:Administrative Law is increasingly tackling with legal phenomena that can be named as «transnational». This denomination is due to the fact that cannot be embraced entirely by State Administrative Law. In this paper we approach the analysis of these legal phenomena from the perspective of the territoriality principle. The objective of this paper is to show the effects of the incompatibility of a legal phenomenon inherent to globalization, with the paradigm of the territoriality of Administrative Law and its statutory conception as State law. The study begins with an exposition on the relevance of the territoriality principle in the State General Theory and in the Legal Theory; for this reason, we analyze the relevance of the territory as the basis and limit of public power, but also in the relations other legal orders. Then the study deals with the current context of fragmentation and legal pluralism to show a legal reality that undermines the explanatory capacity of the territoriality principle. The verification of the overcoming of the territorial paradigm of Administrative Law causes the need to face the consequences of this transforming legal reality. The paper shows to what extent the deterritorialization of law has direct implications not only in the relations between legal orders, but also in the «summa divisio» and in the traditional authoritarian characterization of Administrative Law. These changes open the scene to a non-statist legal regime, based on relations between legal orders and focused on dynamic legal relations.

ИЗМЕНЕНИЕ ПАРАДИГМЫ МЕТОДОЛОГИИ ЮРИСПРУДЕНЦИИ

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 32-40
Author(s):  
Ю. М. Оборотов
Keyword(s):  
Legal Theory ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
The State ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Methodological Question ◽  
Modern Development ◽  
Decisive Importance ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
The Law

В современной методологии юриспруденции происходит переход от изучения состо­яний ее объекта, которыми выступают право и государство, к постижению этого объек­та в его изменениях и превращениях. Две подсистемы методологии юриспруденции, подсистема обращенная к состоянию права и государства; и подсистема обращенная к изменениям права и государства, — получают свое отображение в концептуальной форме, методологических подходах, методах, специфических понятиях. Показательны перемены в содержании методологии юриспруденции, где определяю­щее значение имеют методологические подходы, определяющие стратегию исследова­тельских поисков во взаимосвязи юриспруденции с правом и государством. Среди наи­более характерных подходов антропологический, аксиологический, цивилизационный, синергетический и герменевтический — определяют плюралистичность современной методологии и свидетельствуют о становлении новой парадигмы методологии юриспру­денции.   In modern methodology of jurisprudence there is a transition from the study the states of its object to its comprehension in changes and transformations. Hence the two subsystems of methodology of jurisprudence: subsystem facing the states of the law and the state as well as their components and aspects; and subsystem facing the changes of the law and the state in general and their constituents. These subsystems of methodology of jurisprudence receive its reflection in conceptual form, methodological approaches, methods, specific concepts. Methodology of jurisprudence should not be restricted to the methodology of legal theory. In this regard, it is an important methodological question about subject of jurisprudence. It is proposed to consider the subject of jurisprudence as complex, covering both the law and the state in their specificity, interaction and integrity. Indicative changes in the content methodology of jurisprudence are the usage of decisive importance methodological approaches that govern research strategy searches in conjunction with the law and the state. Among the most characteristic of modern development approaches: anthropological, axiological, civilization, synergistic and hermeneutic. Modern methodology of jurisprudence is pluralistic in nature alleging various approaches to the law and the state. Marked approaches allow the formation of a new paradigm methodology of jurisprudence.

Notary’s Responsibility in Making of Deed Due to Land Acquisition Containing Criminal Corruption

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Yogi Maron ◽  
Ismansyah Ismansyah ◽  
Azmi Fendri
Keyword(s):  
Legal Theory ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Land Rights ◽  
The State ◽  
Land Acquisition ◽  
District Court ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Prison Sentence ◽  
Ethics Code

<p align="center"> </p><p><em>As happened to the Notary Eli SatriaPilo, S.H, Mkn, who was appointed as the Notary who made the Deed of Relinquishment of Land Rights in the Land Acquisition activities for the Construction of Campus III of the State Islamic Institute (IAIN) of Padang which was located in Sungai Bangek District, Padang</em><em> </em><em>in 2010. The method used was descriptive, in which describing the applicable legislation associated with legal theory in the facts and realities about the Notary’s Responsibility in Making Deed of Land Acquisition for the construction of Campus III of IAIN Padang in Sungai</em><em> </em><em>Bangek. This study used a Normative Juridical approach, in which researching by using and processing secondary data or literature related to the</em><em> </em><em>study. The data collected were in the form of primary data obtained from the District Court of Padang, secondary data obtained from secondary legal materials and primary legal materials. Based on the study, it was found that the role of Notary Eli</em><em> </em><em>Satria</em><em> </em><em>Pilo, in the land acquisition of campus III IAIN was proven to have misused the authority resulting in violation of the Notary Ethics Code and was responsible for accepting termination disrespectfully. Furthermore, he was also shown to be committing a Criminal Corruption made based on the Deed of Relinquishment of Land Rights in the land acquisition for the construction of Campus III of IAIN Padang, so that the State incurred losses of Rp. 1</em><em>.</em><em>946</em><em>.</em><em>701</em><em>.</em><em>050 (one billion nine hundred forty-six million seven hundred one thousand and fifty rupiahs). And he was responsible for receiving and carrying out the sentence that had been handed down by the District Court of Padang, a prison sentence of 4 (four) years, and paying a fine of Rp. 200</em><em>.</em><em>000</em><em>.</em><em>000 (two hundred million rupiahs)</em><em>.</em></p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Trial of the State: Law and the Decline of Politics by Jonathan Sumption. London: Profile Books Ltd, 2019, 112 pp (£8.99 softback). ISBN 978-1-78-816373-6.

Legal Studies ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Laura Higson-Bliss
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
State Law ◽  
Increasing Trend ◽  
The Uk

The UK is currently experiencing what can only be described as a political crisis. As faith in politics declines amongst citizens, there is an increasing trend to turn to the courts for answers – this is the thesis of Jonathan Sumption's Trial of the State: Law and the Decline of Politics. Based on the 2019 Reith Lectures, two recurring themes emerge throughout the book: the decline of politics; and the rise of law to compensate.

The social uses of the law at a Soweto garbage dump: Reclaiming the law and the state in the informal economy

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Samson
Keyword(s):  
Informal Economy ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Legal Theory ◽  
Social World ◽  
The State ◽  
Informal Workers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Critical Legal Theory ◽  
The Law ◽  
Social Uses

The informal economy is typically understood as being outside the law. However, this article develops the concept ‘social uses of the law’ to interrogate how informal workers understand, engage and deploy the law, facilitating the development of more nuanced theorizations of both the informal economy and the law. The article explores how a legal victory over the Johannesburg Council by reclaimers of reusable and recyclable materials at the Marie Louise landfill in Soweto, South Africa shaped their subjectivities and became bound up in struggles between reclaimers at the dump. Engaging with critical legal theory, the author argues that in a social world where most people do not read, understand, or cite court rulings, the ‘social uses of the law’ can be of greater import than the actual judgement. This does not, however, render the state absent, as the assertion that the court sanctioned particular claims and rights is central to the reclaimers’ social uses of the law. Through the social uses of the law, these reclaimers force us to consider how and why the law, one of the cornerstones of state formation, cannot be separated from the informal ways it is understood and deployed. The article concludes by sketching a research agenda that can assist in developing a more relational understanding of the law and the informal economy.

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