Social and Legal Norms

In an era where new areas of life and new problems call for normative solutions while the plurality of values in society challenge the very basis for normative solutions, this book looks at a growing field of research on the relations between social and legal norms. New technologies and social media offer new ways to communicate about normative issues and the centrality of formal law and how normativity comes about is a question for debate. This book offers empirical and theoretical research in the field of social and legal norms and will inspire future debate and research in terms of internationalization and cross-national comparative studies. It presents a consistent picture of empirical research in different social and organizational areas and will deepen the theoretical understanding regarding the interplay between social and legal norms. Including chapters written from four different aspects of normativity, the contributors argue that normativity is a result of combinations between law in books, law in action, social norms and social practice. The book uses a variety of different international examples, ranging from Sweden, Uzbekistan, Colombia and Mexico. Primarily aimed at scholars in sociology of law, socio-legal studies, law and legal theory, the book will also interest those in sociology, political science and psychology.

’What is the secret of normativity? When do norms arise in social practice? How do norms shape the making and using of law? These (and other) questions are examined in this fascinating collection which combines theoretical investigations with rich empirical case studies of subjects as varied as the emerging norms concerning file-sharing, the role definitions of school headmasters, and wedding ceremonies and corruption in Uzbekistan.’ David Nelken, Macerata University, Italy and Cardiff University, UK ’The expansion of law, new technologies and processes of globalization have resulted in increasingly complex interdependencies between law and society. This book offers several excellent, innovative and in-depth studies of norms and normativity, and of current relations between social and legal norms. It is a significant and original contribution to an improved understanding of core questions of sociology of law and is highly recommended.’ Inger-Johanne Sand, University of Oslo, Norway ’To understand and bring about change has been an important motivation for the sociology of norms. This book gives an English reading audience access to contributions in the fields of environment, education, cyber norms and development by the international hub for sociology of law at the University of Lund, Sweden.’ Hanne Petersen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark ’The relationship between law and norms has been a concern of sociology of law from its beginnings, but socio-legal research has not adequately explored the nature, significance and variety of social norms. This book contributes much towards filling that gap. It offers a wealth of insights and reports of empirical research to enrich contemporary socio-legal studies.’ Roger Cotterrell, Queen Mary, University of London, UK

Matthias Baier is Head of Department, Sociology of Law, at Lund University, Sweden. His research interests are in the areas of Regulation of Sustainable Development, Norms, Participation, and Law in the Public Sphere. He has published widely on these and related areas.