Understanding Jurisprudence (An Introduction to Legal theory)

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Description
The role of law - its function, features, and future - is of increasing significance in these changing, challenging times. The Western legal tradition, and, in particular, the Anglo-American common law system, generally presumes the existence of a democratic order; the rule of law; independent, just institutions; and the protection of individual rights and liberties. These values are under increasing attack by those who seek to extinguish many of our most cherished ideals. Careful, scrupulous analysis of the theoretical underpinnings of our legal system is therefore more urgent than ever, In revising the pages that follow i have been especially conscious of the responsibility we share to advance the understanding of the conceptual foundations of our law. We have an obligation to comprehend and sustainits central ideas; from understanding comes appreciation, and perhaps also admiration. I cam only hope that this edition illuminates with even greater lucidity the principles that give life to our law. 
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Contents
1.    What's it all about?
2.    Natural Law and Morality
3.    Classical Legal Positivism
4.    Modern Legal Positivism
5.    Law and Moral Legitimacy
6.    Legal Realism
7.    Law and Social Theory
8.    Historical and anthropological jurisprudence
9.    Theories of Justice
10.  Rights
11.  Why obey the law?
12.  Why Punish?
13.  Critical Legal Theory?
14.  Feminist Theory
15.  Jurisprudence Understood?
Glossary
Index
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