The theory of juridical field and contemporary sociology of law

Abstract

In the article the theoretical sources and context of the formation of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of juridical field are considered. The influence of classical traditions of western sociology of law represented by the works of Durkheim and Weber is discussed. The article characterizes the development of French sociology of law in the second half of the 20 th century. The authors consider Bourdieu's analysis of the structure of juridical field, the peculiarities of juridical capital and practices of different agents of juridical field. The influence of Bourdieu's ideas on contemporary sociology of law in France and other countries is evaluated in the article. The obstacles to reception of Bourdieu's ideas in «socio-legal studies» are considered. Differences between Bourdieu and the followers of «critical legal studies» in their approaches to legal profession are discussed. Bourdieu's theory is compared with the leading theoretical perspectives in today's sociology of law.