Innovative in its approach to the study of jurisprudence, this book draws together a range of specialists, making original contributions, and provides a summary, analysis and critique of the basic themes in, and major contributions to, the study of jurisprudence. Taking an interdisciplinary angle, it explores the links between jurisprudence and contemporary issues in political and social theory, such as the changing role of the state, forms of dispute resolution and the courts as well as addressing topics that are usually left untouched, like globalization and legal culture. Avoiding the tendency to become overly inward-looking, it integrates jurisprudence more broadly into legal study. The contributions chart the interrelation of a range of concepts with law and legal theory, including: rights; sovereignty; and adjudication. Linking legal, political, philosophical and social analysis, this textbook is an invaluable source of information for all law students studying jurisprudence and legal theory.