The End of Law : Political Theology and the Crisis of Sovereignty
(2026)- Abstract
This book examines how Gustav Radbruch, H. L. A. Hart, and Ernst-Wolfgang Böckenförde each addressed the question of the end of law, its function, and its normative foundation within the context of the modern legal and political order. Through a politico-theological reading, it highlights the tension between legal validity and moral legitimacy, as well as the extent to which law can maintain public order without compromising its own claim to justice. The analysis of Radbruch, Hart, and Böckenförde sheds light on how valid law can become unjust, demanding actions that may conflict with individual judgement or morality. It raises questions about natural law, the relationship between morality and law, and law’s ultimate purpose, suggesting... (More)
This book examines how Gustav Radbruch, H. L. A. Hart, and Ernst-Wolfgang Böckenförde each addressed the question of the end of law, its function, and its normative foundation within the context of the modern legal and political order. Through a politico-theological reading, it highlights the tension between legal validity and moral legitimacy, as well as the extent to which law can maintain public order without compromising its own claim to justice. The analysis of Radbruch, Hart, and Böckenförde sheds light on how valid law can become unjust, demanding actions that may conflict with individual judgement or morality. It raises questions about natural law, the relationship between morality and law, and law’s ultimate purpose, suggesting that law and politics represent, at best, a relative good. It addresses the broader crisis of legal authority and state sovereignty, the expanding reach of state power, and whether law should instruct, command, or ultimately point beyond itself. The End of Law is of interest to scholars in legal theory, political theology, and the philosophy of law.
(Less)
- author
- Björk, Mårten LU and Johansen, Tormod LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026
- type
- Book/Report
- publication status
- published
- subject
- pages
- 249 pages
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105030009583
- ISBN
- 9781003289142
- 9781032266251
- 9781040743423
- 9781040462362
- DOI
- 10.4324/9781003289142
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 18469e79-2179-4b46-b059-b798571534fc
- date added to LUP
- 2026-03-02 14:11:23
- date last changed
- 2026-05-12 01:54:57
@book{18469e79-2179-4b46-b059-b798571534fc,
abstract = {{<p>This book examines how Gustav Radbruch, H. L. A. Hart, and Ernst-Wolfgang Böckenförde each addressed the question of the end of law, its function, and its normative foundation within the context of the modern legal and political order. Through a politico-theological reading, it highlights the tension between legal validity and moral legitimacy, as well as the extent to which law can maintain public order without compromising its own claim to justice. The analysis of Radbruch, Hart, and Böckenförde sheds light on how valid law can become unjust, demanding actions that may conflict with individual judgement or morality. It raises questions about natural law, the relationship between morality and law, and law’s ultimate purpose, suggesting that law and politics represent, at best, a relative good. It addresses the broader crisis of legal authority and state sovereignty, the expanding reach of state power, and whether law should instruct, command, or ultimately point beyond itself. The End of Law is of interest to scholars in legal theory, political theology, and the philosophy of law.</p>}},
author = {{Björk, Mårten and Johansen, Tormod}},
isbn = {{9781003289142}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
title = {{The End of Law : Political Theology and the Crisis of Sovereignty}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003289142}},
doi = {{10.4324/9781003289142}},
year = {{2026}},
}