Legal origin and social solidarity: the continued relevance of Durkheim to comparative institutional analysis

Johnson, P., Brookes, M., Wood, G. and Brewster, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5314-1518 (2017) Legal origin and social solidarity: the continued relevance of Durkheim to comparative institutional analysis. Sociology, 51 (3). pp. 646-665. ISSN 1469-8684 doi: 10.1177/0038038515611049

Abstract/Summary

By using the classic works of Durkheim as a theoretical platform, this research explores the relationship between legal systems and social solidarity. We found that certain types of civil law system, most notably those of Scandinavia, are associated with higher levels of social capital and better welfare state provision. However, we found the relationship between legal system and societal outcomes is considerably more complex than suggested by currently fashionable economistic legal origin approaches, and more in line with the later writings of Durkheim, and, indeed, the literature on comparative capitalisms. Relative communitarianism was strongly affected by relative development, reflecting the complex relationship between institutions, state capabilities and informal social ties and networks.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/70827
Identification Number/DOI	10.1177/0038038515611049
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Henley Business School > International Business and Strategy
Uncontrolled Keywords	Institutions, Neoliberalism, Durkheim, Social Solidarity, Legal Origin, Societal Development
Publisher	Sage
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