Adam Podgórecki
Encyclopedia
Adam Podgórecki is an internationally renowned legal sociologist and one of the founders of the Research Committee on Sociology of Law
(RCSL). Podgórecki was also one of the founders of the first institute at Warsaw University which was devoted to the social scientific studies of law. He moved to Carlton University in Ottawa, Canada, and took up a Chair in sociology
and anthropology
, when the communists expelled him from his professorship for "anti-communist academic activities". "He worked tirelessly and fearlessly" to ensure the independence of the sociology of law
"against the pull of the large disciplines of sociology
on the one side and law
on the other" and became one of the pioneers of the sociology of law
after World War II.
He carried out a systematic programme of socio-legal research throughout his academic life, wrote and published widely in both Polish and English and developed a unique socio-legal line of inquiry which can be traced back to Leon Petrazycki’s theory of “intuitive law”. According to Adam Czarnota, Podgórecki developed his social theory “in opposition to the Marxist theory of law and the state. He stressed the importance of empirical comparative material guided by theoretical hypothesis. Crucial for him was the typology, derived from Petrazycki, of intutitive and official law”.
To honour the significant contribution made by Adam Podgórecki to the development of sociology of law
and to shape the history of the Research Committee on Sociology of Law
(RCSL), the Board of RCSL decided in 2004 to establish the annual Adam Podgórecki Prize. This prize is awarded for outstanding achievements in socio-legal research.
Research Committee on Sociology of Law
Research Committee on Sociology of Law was established in 1962 by William M. Evan and Adam Podgórecki , with the support of Renato Treves during the Congress of the International Sociological Association , which was held in Weshington D. C...
(RCSL). Podgórecki was also one of the founders of the first institute at Warsaw University which was devoted to the social scientific studies of law. He moved to Carlton University in Ottawa, Canada, and took up a Chair in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, when the communists expelled him from his professorship for "anti-communist academic activities". "He worked tirelessly and fearlessly" to ensure the independence of the sociology of law
Sociology of law
The sociology of law is often described as a sub-discipline of sociology or an interdisciplinary approach within legal studies...
"against the pull of the large disciplines of sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
on the one side and law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
on the other" and became one of the pioneers of the sociology of law
Sociology of law
The sociology of law is often described as a sub-discipline of sociology or an interdisciplinary approach within legal studies...
after World War II.
He carried out a systematic programme of socio-legal research throughout his academic life, wrote and published widely in both Polish and English and developed a unique socio-legal line of inquiry which can be traced back to Leon Petrazycki’s theory of “intuitive law”. According to Adam Czarnota, Podgórecki developed his social theory “in opposition to the Marxist theory of law and the state. He stressed the importance of empirical comparative material guided by theoretical hypothesis. Crucial for him was the typology, derived from Petrazycki, of intutitive and official law”.
To honour the significant contribution made by Adam Podgórecki to the development of sociology of law
Sociology of law
The sociology of law is often described as a sub-discipline of sociology or an interdisciplinary approach within legal studies...
and to shape the history of the Research Committee on Sociology of Law
Research Committee on Sociology of Law
Research Committee on Sociology of Law was established in 1962 by William M. Evan and Adam Podgórecki , with the support of Renato Treves during the Congress of the International Sociological Association , which was held in Weshington D. C...
(RCSL), the Board of RCSL decided in 2004 to establish the annual Adam Podgórecki Prize. This prize is awarded for outstanding achievements in socio-legal research.