Anthropology & Law
Publisher: Berghahn Books
Published: July 2003
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-13: 9781571814234
Subjects: Social Science; Sociology; Anthropology - Cultural; Jurisprudence & General Issues; Law and anthropology
Description: "The relationship between law and anthropology can be considered as having been particularly intimate. In this book the authors defend their assertion that the two fields co-exist in a condition of 'balanced reciprocity' wherein each makes important contributions to the successful practice and theory of the other. Anthropology, for example, offers a cross-culturally validated generic concept of 'law, ' and clarifies other important legal concepts such as 'religion' and 'human rights.' Law similarly illuminates key anthropological ideas such as the 'social contract, ' and provides a uniquely valuable access point for the analysis of sociocultural systems.

Legal practice renders a further important benefit to anthropology when it validates anthropological knowledge through the use of anthropologists as expert witnesses in the courtroom and the introduction of the 'culture defense' against criminal charges."--Jacket.