Expressive function of law explained
The expressive function of law is the effect of law to create or validate social norms beyond the fear of punishment.[1] [2] For example, the criminalization of homosexuality may be maintained in order to express disapproval of homosexuality, even if it is not regularly enforced.[3]
See also
- Unenforced law, a law which is formally in effect, but is usually not penalized by a jurisdiction
- Victimless crime, an illegal act which harms only the perpetrator(s)
Further reading
- Arnold . N. Scott . Postmodern Liberalism and the Expressive Function of Law . Social Philosophy and Policy . 2000 . 17 . 1 . 87–109 . 10.1017/S0265052500002545. 221536524 .
- Dharmapala . D. . The Condorcet Jury Theorem and the Expressive Function of Law: A Theory of Informative Law . American Law and Economics Association . 2003 . 5 . 1 . 1–31 . 10.1093/aler/5.1.1.
- Book: McAdams . Richard H. . The Expressive Powers of Law: Theories and Limits . 2015 . Harvard University Press . 978-0-674-96720-5 . en.
- Mullender . Richard . Racial Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and the Expressive Function of Law . Modern Law Review . 1998 . 61 . 2 . 236–244 . 10.1111/1468-2230.00140 .
- Sunstein . Cass R. . On the Expressive Function of Law . University of Pennsylvania Law Review . 1996 . 144 . 5 . 2021–2053 . 10.2307/3312647 . 3312647 . 145045706 . 0041-9907.
Notes and References
- McGinn . Thomas A. . The Expressive Function of Law and the Lex Imperfecta . Roman Legal Tradition . 2015 . 11 . 1 .
- Funk . P. . Is There An Expressive Function of Law? An Empirical Analysis of Voting Laws with Symbolic Fines . American Law and Economics Review . 2007 . 9 . 1 . 135–159 . 10.1093/aler/ahm002.
- Goodman . Ryan . Beyond the Enforcement Principle: Sodomy Laws, Social Norms, and Social Panoptics . . 2001 . 89 . 643–740 . 10.2307/3481180 . 3481180 .
