Introduction to Austrian and European Legal History

With the beginning of the winter semester 2021/22, degree programmes in International Legal Studies (LLB/LLM) have been introduced at the University of Vienna alongside the traditional Law programme. This book covers large parts of the module “European and Global Legal History“, which will be offered in English as a part of this course. Its purpose is not to present a universal legal history, but rather to situate Austrian and European legal history within a broader global context.
The book is organised into eight periods: Antiquity; Middle Ages and Early Modern Era; Absolutism, Enlightment and Natural Law; The Age of Constitutionalism and Imperialism; The Age of Far-Left Dictatorships; The Age of Democracy; The Age of Far-Right Dictatorships; Contemporary Legal History. Each period is introduced with a discussion of general political, constitutional, and international developments. This is followed by a more detailed description of the fundamental structures of state, church, economy, and society. The third and final part of each period addresses the characteristics of legislation and jurisprudence during that timespan.