Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

This insightful Advanced Introduction offers a unique examination of the structures and inner logic of the law across most of the world’s legal systems. Written by a leading scholar in the field, George P. Fletcher, it engages the reader in the ongoing project of comparative criminal law and offers a deep understanding of the key principles of the subject.



Key features include:








Discussion of the approaches of most legal systems and cultures around the world


Analysis that elicits the underlying unity and logic of criminal law and its role in society


A chapter-by-chapter focus on different perspectives from which to compare and analyse the law, including language, ideology, economics, religion, political theory and art



Students of comparative criminal law will find this book an invaluable resource, particularly in terms of ideas and topics for further research. It will also be useful for practitioners, policymakers and legislators interested in law reform in this area.