Sociology of Law

Society is a 'web-relationship'and social change obviously means a change in the system of social relationship where a social relationship is understood in terms of social processes and social interactions and social organizations. Thus, the term, 'social change' is used to indicate desirable variations in social institution, social processes and social organization. It includes alterations in the structure and functions of the society. Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behaviour, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Law is very important for a society for it serves as a norm of conduct for citizens. It was also made to provide for proper guidelines and order upon the behaviour for all citizens and to sustain the equity on the three branches of the government. It keeps society running. Without law there would be chaos and it would be survival of the fittest and everyman for himself.

This book discusses both historical and contemporary issues, from early theoretical foundations and the work of Weber and Durkheim, through the contribution of sociological jurisprudence, to the development of modern perspectives to clarify how sociologists study law. The book provides a new legal-sociological theory of democracy, reflecting the impact of global law on national political institutions. Chapters also look at the role of law in relation to the economy, politics, culture, and the legal profession; and aspects of law enforcement and the globalization of law. Law serves as a catalyst of social mediation of relations between people for harbingering social change and transformation in the values and beliefs, social and political dimensions, besides the economic structure. Law has acted as an instrument wherein the dilution of caste inequalities; abolition of the abhor-able practices of child-marriage, dowry; protective measures for the weak and vulnerable sections; providing for the dignified existence of those living under unwholesome conditions etc. are the illustrious instances in this regard. The purpose of this book is to introduce the sociology of law by providing a coherent organization to the general body of literature in that field. This book will appeal to scholars and students of the sociology of law, jurisprudence, social and political theory, and social and political philosophy.