The concept of law lies at the very heart of social and political life. Universal principles like justice, rights, and morality can not be fully understood without us thinking about the role that law plays and the purpose behind our legal systems and institutions. Understanding Jurisprudenceopens up these challenging concepts to provide an engaging introduction to legal theory. The book guides the reader through the intriguing nature of jurisprudence and explores the central ideas and theories that continue to be hotly debated to this day.An experienced teacher of jurisprudence and distinguished writer in the field, Raymond Wacks adopts an approach that is easy to follow and understand without avoiding any of the complexities and subtleties of the subject. Students of law, politics, philosophy, and other social sciences will findthis an ideal starting point in their study of legal theory.Online Resource CentreAn online resource centre provides:Web links to useful sitesQuestions and answersFurther reading, including links to journal articlesBroader discussion of issues raised in the textAnalysis of current controversies of a jurisprudential nature such as news events and political debatesTwo additional chapters providing tips and advice on the study of jurisprudenceA glossary of terms