Legal System as an Object of Sociology and Law Analysis

Abstract

Salygin Eugin - Associate Professor, Department of Theory and Law and Comparative Law, Dean of Law Faculty, Na­tional Research University Higher School of Economics, Honoured Lawyer of Russian Federation, Candidate of Juridical Sciences. Address: 20 Myasnitskaya Str., Moscow, 101000, Russian Federation. E-mail: esalygin@hse.ru.

Legal system is a concept embodying the multifacetedness of law, i.e. its internal architecture (elements of law which are complex systems per se), correlations within the system, interaction of law with other parts of socium. Legal system has been the subject matter both of law and sociology of law. Each of the sciences has developed its own approaches to this phenomenon, which do not tend to cross. Each sci­ence makes its own path not addressing the achievements of the interdisciplinary discipline. Sociology of law doctrines are considered by the author as the instruments to widen the cognitive borders of the traditional for lawyers positivist approach to law, to discover topical research perspectives. On the basis of the views of T Parsons, D. Black, N. Luhmann, P. Bourdieu, the article develops the methodology of the social approach to legal system, reveals its advantages and disadvantages. Sociologists are used to shifting a significant role in functioning legal system to legal professionals. They focus on the contradic­tions in the relations between legal framework (legal system, normative system etc.) and politics. The views of sociologists are extrapolated to the current reality of Russian legal system. Its majour issue is seen in the imbalance between law and politics as the ruling elite imposes a beneficial for it structure of legal system on society, intervenes in legal communication including judicial enforcement of courts and law enforcement agencies. The majour attention of lawyers should be drawn to ensuring their rela­tive independence, widening the autonomy of legal framework and legal communications, and building up their authority when adopting paramount legal acts. This is the only way to create a prerequisite to tackle the problems which the legal system of Russian society is facing. The article covers the current empirical legal approaches suggested by sociologists as well as the causes for such research, results, perspectives and possibilities to engage jurists in such studies.