Law and Society

Originally published in 1974, this book looks at the general problems regarding the sociology of law. It describes the various methods of sociological research which may be applied in the field of sociology of law and shows their advantages and empirical limitations. It discusses the number and complexity of the problems connected with law, problems which are often disregarded by the traditional state and law theory. The book elucidates basic theoretical concepts including anomie, conformity, legalism, the legal norm – which are fundamental to the sociology of law. Some essential problems concerned with the politics of law are also discussed.

Adam Podgórecki (1925–1998) was a sociologist and one of the founders of the Research Committee on Sociology of Law. Podgórecki was also one of the founders of the first institute at Warsaw University which was devoted to the social scientific studies of law.