5.1.2   Key Characteristics of the Law

(This is an archived page, from the Patterns of Power Edition 3 book.  Current versions are at book contents).

H.L.A.  Hart provided some important clarifications to Austin’s view of the law as "an order backed by threats", pointing out that not all rules have the status of law and not all coercion is legal.[1]  An illustration used by Hart to clarify this point is that of a gunman ordering his victim to hand over his purse, with the threat of shooting him if he doesn't comply – which is an example of coercion that is clearly against the law.

Hart identifies the following additional features which differentiate the law from the coercion used by the gunman:

• Its application is general: "In a modern state … its general laws extend to all persons within its territorial boundaries".

• The law has an "enduring character".

• It requires "a general habit of obedience”. 

• The commands of the law are issued by those who have formally been given the authority to do so: they are exercising "powers of delegated legislation". 

The first three of these characteristics present challenges to the governance of a pluralist society which is undergoing change.  This chapter examines some of the ways to reduce the potential problems.

© PatternsofPower.org, 2014



[1] H.L.A.  Hart deals with the deficiencies in Austin's view of the law throughout his book: The Concept of Law.  His example of a gunman appears in chapter 2.