From “The Study of Nature” to Systems Theory: Sociological Approaches in Commercial Law

Abstract

This article explores the history of sociological approaches in commercial law. It traces an intellec- tual trajectory from Levin Goldschmidt's historical commercial law, through Max Weber's sociology of law and Karl Llewellyn's legal realism to Niklas Luhmann's systems theory of law. This trajectory not only follows direct biographical contacts and literary influences, but it also exposes a remarkable continuity of methods and subjects. At the same time, it points to a promising field of future research.

Keywords: May Weber, Karl Llewellyn, Niklas Luhmann, law & society, legal sociology

JEL Classification: K10