Law's Evolution and Human Understanding
"The law of a community is an expression of its customs. Law evolves rather than being created. But what of such concepts as authority, legitimacy, and sovereignty within such a bottom-up approach to law? Claus's beautifully written book not only illustrates the answers with well-chosen examples, but sets the historical and philosophical scene with admirable panache."--Ken Binmore, ProfessorEconomics Department, University College London"This superb book explains how words become law. The key to the success of the argument is finding the right 'level' at which to make this seemingly simple (but quite difficult) argument.  Each chapter has something new and interesting.  Claus's discussion of the concept of 'Authority' is one of the best in the literature."--Dennis Patterson, Professor of Legal Theory and Legal PhilosophyEuropean University Institute"Using everyday examples, Laurence Claus provocatively defends the idea that law just is the systematic prediction of how people are likely to behave, useful as a technique of coordinating action in a complex society. His discussion of questions about law's authority, constitutional interpretation, and the "duty" to obey the law illuminate topics that have preoccupied jurisprudence for generations."--Mark Tushnet, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of LawHarvard Law School"Law's Evolution is a provocative, 'emperor has no clothes' reading of the Western legal tradition. The writing alternates between clear, everyday examples and abstract analysis."--P.J. Galie, CHOICE