A DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT OF LAW

Abstract

A definition of the concept of law is developed by drawing on the works of jurists and anthropologists as well as sociologists. Law is conceptualized in terms of Sumner's definition of an institution, the "concept" being the normative law and the "apparatus" being the group engaging in legal action. The rudimentary forms oflegal norms and of legal actions which exist in all legal institutions are identified and described. The process by which these rudimentary forms oflegalnorms and oflegal actions develop so as to constitute the wide variety of legal institutions which exist or have existed is also examined.