Central European University A Program for University Teachers, Advanced Ph.D. Students, Researchers and Professionals in the Social Sciences and Humanities Summer University

Stephen Holmes (University of Chicago; COLPI - OSI)

Resource persons:  

G. M. Tamás (Phil. Inst. of the Hungarian Academy)
Larry Lessig (University of Chicago)
András Sajó (CEU)

Course description
The social and political changes in Eastern Europe and the gradual transformation of the economy which erodes traditional forms of social organization in the West represent new challenges to law and seriously test the validity of established legal theories. The course not only offers a critical review of  contemporary theories (hermeneutics, critical theory autopsies, functionalism, liberalism) but it confronts post modernism in light of actual legal developments. Is post-modern law possible? If not, how should law react to postmodernity?  Are East-European social relations post-modern? What is the relevance of norms in uncertainty? What is the place of rights  in today's legal system? The course offers not only a possibility to learn and discuss contemporary theories but allows a unique experience and exchange to understand legal change in a comparative East-West perspective.

The course is intended to be a discussion opportunity for lawyers, philosophers and political scientists interested in social change and legal theory and for law makers, administrators and regulators.