Some Realism About Legal Certainty in the Globalization of the Rule of Law

20 Pages Posted: 18 Aug 2008 Last revised: 23 May 2015

See all articles by James R. Maxeiner

James R. Maxeiner

University of Baltimore - School of Law

Date Written: June 13, 2008

Abstract

The rule of law is at the heart of globalization. It promises both international and domestic routes to peace, security, democracy, human rights and sustainable development worldwide. A central tenet of the rule of law is legal certainty. For most modern jurists, it is a matter of course that legal certainty is a systemic goal, even if that goal is not always fully realized. But for American jurists who count themselves legal realists, legal certainty is not even a flawed goal; it is a childish myth. This address seeks to raise awareness of this fundamental difference and to show its importance for legal methods used to implement the rule of law.

Keywords: Rule of Law, Rechtstaat, Legal Certainty, Rechtssicherheit, securite juridique, certezza del diritto, rechtsezekereheid, la seguridad juridica, legal indeterminacy, under determinacy, legal methods, legal reasoning

JEL Classification: K33, K49

Suggested Citation

Maxeiner, James R., Some Realism About Legal Certainty in the Globalization of the Rule of Law (June 13, 2008). Houston Journal of International Law, Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 27-46, 2008, University of Baltimore School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2009-11, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1230457

James R. Maxeiner (Contact Author)

University of Baltimore - School of Law ( email )

1420 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
United States
410-837-4628 (Phone)

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,071
Abstract Views
4,963
Rank
41,885
PlumX Metrics