The Law of European Society (LAW-DS-LAWSOC-23)

LAW-DS-LAWSOC-23

Description

European law has been historically conceptualised as a “structured network of principles, rules and mutually interdependent legal relations linking the EU and its Member States, and its Member States with each other,” aimed at promoting further economic and political interdependence. Now, we have come to realize that further interdependence among Member States does not mean enhanced solidarity within society. A highly conflictive pattern of relationships has emerged within European society. This calls for a new understanding of Europe and its law. What does it mean to see Europe and its law like a society – and not merely like a market, a polity or a legal order? Conflicts come to the fore; issues of stratification, domination and distribution emerge; limits to traditional schemes of reasoning are made manifest. This seminar is an invitation to explore the transformation of European law as society. It will focus on a selection of salient societal issues (such as religion, law and order, the rule of law, the place of work, the place of non-humans…) and strive to take the perspective of lived existences.

1. European Law as Society
2. Transition
3. Stratification
4. Distribution
5. A new law?