5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

In the Anthropocene, the interconnections between law, society, knowledge production and the environment are becoming increasingly complex. Understanding how different societies conceptualize and administer justice is essential for addressing global challenges. This session aims to bring together diverse perspectives to examine how legal cultures serve as frameworks for the production of knowledge about justice across various cultural contexts.

We encourage prospective presenters to draw inspiration from key themes in the field of comparative legal cultures. The unique characteristics of legal systems within their social settings are crucial for understanding how justice is perceived and implemented (Nelken 2014). The role of societal values and historical contexts in shaping legal practices and beliefs highlights the diverse ways justice is conceptualized and enacted (Kurkchiyan 2018). The dynamic nature of legal cultures in response to global mobility and cross-border interactions offers insights into how migration law evolves and adapts (Kubal 2019). Furthermore, the practical implications of legal culture in shaping judicial outcomes and policy implementations are essential for comprehending the real-world impacts of these systems (Feest 2016).

By taking inspiration from these themes, papers should explore how different legal cultures contribute to our understanding of justice, particularly in the context of the Anthropocene. We seek comparative studies that highlight the ways in which legal knowledge is produced and utilized in various cultural contexts. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, environmental justice, human rights, and indigenous legal traditions.

(Session organized by RCSL Working Group Comparative Legal Culture)