Niklas Luhmann's theory of politics and law / by Michael King and Chris Thornhill.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

King, Michael, 1942-

Contributor:

Thornhill, Chris, 1966-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Luhmann, Niklas, 1927-1998.

Luhmann, Niklas.

Political science.

Law.

Physical Description:

vi, 266 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Houndmills [England] ; New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.

Summary:

Nicklas Luhmann is rapidly becoming recognized as one of the most original and controversial Controver intellectual figures of the 20th century Michael King and Chris Thornhill offer the first comprehensive account of his social theory as it relates to law and politics. They explain his complex ideas, placing them in broad cross-disciplinary debates. Luhmann's theory, they contend, stands in direct opposition to the 'anthropocentric', humanist and liberal traditions that have dominated modern legal and political thought. As such it opens up the possibility of a new paradigm -- one where the certainties, ambitions, and rational foundations of the Enlightenment are continually subjected to critical observation. The authors also answer those critics who reject Luhmann out of hand as an ultra-conservative, arguing that his conservatism should be seen as a challenge to prevailing 'idealisms', and as a catalyst for a radical rethink of the role of theory in the social sciences.

Contents:

1 Luhmann's Social Theory 1

2 Society's Legal System 35

3 The Political System 69

4 The Subject of Liberalism 129

5 Risk and the Environment 182

6 Conclusion: Luhmann and his Critics 203.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 250-258) and index.

ISBN:

0333993101

OCLC:

51963388