Published by De Gruyter Oldenbourg

Volume 13 Issue 2

Issue of Zeitschrift für Rechtssoziologie

Contents
Journal Overview

Abhandlungen

October 18, 2016

Rechtsbewußtsein als empirisches Faktum und symbolische Fiktion. Methoden- und modernisierungskritische Anmerkungen zur Erfassung der Rechtskenntnis und Einstellung zum Recht

Doris Lucke, Otto G. Schwenk

Page range: 185-204

Abstract

On the basis of a study of relevant literature the article deals with the issue of whether the claim that there has been a loss of sense of justice among Germans can be maintained. The thesis is proposed that changes of sense of justice can be interpreted as differentiation rather than general decay. Some problems of empirical identification of sense of justice are pointed out and current developments are noted, ending with the suggestion of the need to revise prevailing theories of rationalization of law.

October 18, 2016

Jugendstrafrecht: Materiale Rationalität oder prozedurale Irrationalität?

Wolfgang Ludwig-Mayerhofer

Page range: 205-230

Abstract

Taking as a starting point current hypotheses about the crisis of law, the article examines the Capacity of sociology of law to assist in understanding recent developments in the practice of juvenile criminal law in the Federal Republic of Germany – e.g., diversion and alternative sanctions. These developments are considered alternatively as materialization of law, as reflexive law and finally as juridification. Upon critical examination it is concluded that none of these concepts is apt to render an adequate picture of what is happening in the realm of social control of juveniles. The true picture may best be characterized as a „negative variety“ of reflexive law: while only few material changes (interventions in the life of juveniles) are found, formal properties of law (due process) are dissolved into a diffuse „procedurality“.

October 18, 2016

Das Dominanzgefälle in polizeilichen Vernehmungen – Der Beschuldigte als strukturell Überlegener

Norbert Schröer

Page range: 231-248

Abstract

The common shortcoming of all available investigations of the category of interaction called „Interrogating accused persons by the police“ results from the failure, quite common in criminology, to examine structural aspects on the micro-sociological level. Thus the internal dynamics of interrogation are obscure and, hence, so is the structural motivation imposed on the policeman. As a consequence of this analytical deficit, critical examination of the interrogating behaviour of the police has been limited to evaluation in terms of norm. In this essay the author endeavors to create a structural basis for understanding the interrogating behaviour of the police. His thesis: Not the policeman, but the interrogating accused person is the dominant in police interrogation.

October 18, 2016

Überlegungen zum Problem der Rechtsdifferenzierung

Wolfgang K. Schulz

Page range: 249-256

Abstract

This contribution concerns the analysis of elementary structural conditions of the differentiation of law. Starting from problem definition in Max Weber and Niklas Luhmann some functional processes in the development of law are investigated, and verified with selected examples from recent history of law. The final section covers resulting consequences for the analysis of modernisation in society.

October 18, 2016

Technikblindheit des Rechts – Technikignoranz der Juristen? Anmerkungen zum Verhältnis „Technik und Recht“ aus der Sicht der Soziologie

Manfred Mai

Page range: 257-270

Abstract

Technological progress and its risks confront law with the responsibility to find solutions for a socially and juridically acceptable technological development. Jurists’ habitual ignorance of technological matters is a cause of the increasing difficulties in shaping technological progress on a proper juridical way. Instead of constructing technological development and its social field according to criteria immanent to law, most jurists have ideas of technology, which are rooted in a romantic-conservative philosophy of civilisation and which often reappear in today’s post-modern theories of society. In 19th century, mechanics and kinetics could offer paradigms for law; nowadays, however, concepts of science (e.g. self-organizing systems) are no longer suitable as juridical concepts. In order to improve the circumstances for a juridical control of technological systems from their very beginning we suggest the construction of a theory of technology in terms of law, taking normative aspects into consideration. In this context it is absolutely necessary to connect juridical concepts with the results of the interdisciplinary technological research.

Diskussion

October 18, 2016

Steuerung durch Recht und Steuerung des Rechts (Zu den Beiträgen von N. Lohmann und W. Kargl, ZfRsoz 1/91)

Peter Nahamowitz

Page range: 271-293

October 18, 2016

Rezensionen

Hasso Hofmann, Susanne Baer, Alfons Bora, Barbara Bierfreund, Stefan Machura

Page range: 294-327

October 18, 2016

Berichte und Ankündigungen

Konstanze Plett, Armin Höland

Page range: 328-335

About this journal

About the Journal

Established in 1980, the Zeitschrift für Rechtssoziologie – The German Journal of Law and Society offers a forum for the academic analysis of law in its societal context and on the relationship between law and society. The notion of ‘society’ is interpreted broadly. The journal publishes contributions from all disciplines as long as the relationship between law and society can be identified as a core theme. Papers with a theoretical focus and empirically-based analyses are equally welcome. We also publish essays that do not follow the typical format of a journal article as long as the arguments and reasoning are of an academic standard. The journal also features a book review section which discusses recent sociology of law texts published in Germany and other countries. Submissions may be written in German or English.

Only original contributions will be published. However, contributions to the journal may be republished elsewhere provided that the place of first publication is cited.

An overview over the development of the journal can be found in: Cottier Michelle, Die Zeitschrift für Rechtssoziologie: seit bald 40 Jahren Kristallisationspunkt und Kommunikationsarena der deutschsprachigen Rechtssoziologie, in: Christian Boulanger (Hrsg.) "Rechtssoziologisch publizieren" – Dokumentation eines Rundtischgespräches, 26.03.2019, https://barblog.hypotheses.org/cottier-zeitschrift-fuer-rechtssoziologie.

Peer review

Contributions will be subject to a double blind peer review process, where necessary more than once, involving at least two external referees before the editors take a decision on publication.

Publication frequency

The journal is published twice a year and is included in the abstracting services of Sociological Abstracts and SOLIS – Sozialwissenschaftliches Literaturinformationssystem (a German social science database).