Johnson, Alan V.2009-05-192009-05-191977-04-01Mid-American Review of Sociology, Volume 2, Number 1 (SPRING, 1977), pp. 47-71 http://dx.doi.org/10.17161/STR.1808.4803https://hdl.handle.net/1808/4803A 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.enCopyright (c) Social Thought and Research. For rights questions please contact Editor, Department of Sociology, Social Thought and Research, Fraser Hall, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045.A DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT OF LAWArticle10.17161/STR.1808.4803openAccess