The anthology Law in Society explores how law shapes and is shaped by societies. The selections stem from a view of law as an integral part of the wider socio-political economy and one of its central institutions.

The introduction familiarizes students with definitions and explanations of criminal law, explores the functions of law, and provides an overview of the theories of law covered in the rest of the book. The first section of the text examines sources of law, natural law theory, and the concept of positive or formal law. The second section considers the origins of law in social structures and provides an overview of sociology of law. The third section is devoted to sources of law and social control such as custom, social norms, and group processes. The final section introduces critical theories of law and considers recent developments in alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice.

Through reading Law in Society students come to recognize that as a society changes, so too do its laws and legal system. The book is well suited to courses in criminal justice and sociology, as well as those in social or cultural anthropology.