Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 Introduction
- Part 1 Towards a Globalist Jurisprudence
- 2 Globalisation and the World Revolution
- 3 Law and authority in space and time
- Part 2 A Holy Roman Empire
- Part 3 State Formation and Reformation
- Part 4 A Wholly Mammon Empire?
- Part 5 Competing Jurisdictions Case Studies
- Bibliography
- Index
3 - Law and authority in space and time
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 March 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 Introduction
- Part 1 Towards a Globalist Jurisprudence
- 2 Globalisation and the World Revolution
- 3 Law and authority in space and time
- Part 2 A Holy Roman Empire
- Part 3 State Formation and Reformation
- Part 4 A Wholly Mammon Empire?
- Part 5 Competing Jurisdictions Case Studies
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
At least so far as law is concerned, reality wears a mask in the shape of ‘the here and the now’. Space (not just ‘the here’) and time (not just ‘the now’) must be explored to understand law and authority properly. In furtherance of the historical and normative general jurisprudence with which to evaluate patterns of law and authority relevant to globalisation, this chapter proposes a theory which contemplates the space and time dimensions of law and authority. I call this ‘the Space–Time Matrix’, drawing on writings of Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy. If there is a third dimension of human being, then it would be the spiritual or metaphysical dimension. That too is explored, under the heading of ‘ultimate reality and meaning’. This dimension can only ever be revealed to humans at some spatial location in society (for example, to a loner on a mountain or in a room full of people) and at points in time. This is contemplated by the Space–Time Matrix.
Frequent references will be made to this model in the balance of this book. It grounds the way I attempt to make sense of law and authority, historically and normatively. Assertions in this chapter need not all be accepted, though, for the purpose of the historical jurisprudence proposed and the historical discussion which occupies the balance of the Parts of this book. It will suffice if the present chapter conveys law and authority as morally, culturally and politically constructed (that is, spatially on the ‘Space Axis’) by reference to experiences and expectations of the future (that is, temporally, on the ‘Time Axis’).
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Globalisation and the Western Legal TraditionRecurring Patterns of Law and Authority, pp. 52 - 76Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2008