Rechtssoziologie

Abstract

Sociology of law as the study of the meaning of institutional(ised) norms within a particular society has always been of great importance within sociology, even in the early sociological «classics» and beyond. Of particular interest are the material and ideological effects of institutionalised norms on individual behaviour as well as on social structures, power and rule. Furthermore, the emergence of normative structures from society has also been a constant focus of attention. The first part of this article seeks to place sociology of law within the bigger field of social sciences and argues for it to be seen as an inter- or even transdisciplinary field of study. The second part provides an overview of the status of sociology of law within Swiss academic tradition and draws comparisons with its position in other countries. In the third part, a variety of questions for possible future research projects will be suggested, while in the fourth part an up-to-date example from the law concerning persons (protection of adult individuals) will serve to outline these concerns. To conclude, the fifth and final part will offer a short summary of the matters raised and propagate an increase in empirical approaches to these topics