Gyorgy Lukacs and the Marxist Approach to Theory of Law

This book rethinks the Marxist critique of law through an exploration of the later works of Hungarian philosopher György Lukács. It argues that law cannot be fully grasped through rigid legal categories alone; instead, it must be examined within the wider context of social reproduction, shaped by language, politics, and ideology. By engaging critically with major legal theorists such as Kelsen, Hart, and Dworkin, Vitor Bartoletti Sartori shows how Lukács’s philosophy offers a deeper and more flexible framework for understanding legal thought in complex societies. He challenges dominant Marxist approaches, especially the Pachukanian tradition, and highlights the need for a more open-ended framework for understanding law, ideology, and social complexity. Ideal for scholars of legal theory, philosophy, and social thought, György Lukács and the Marxist Approach to Theory of Law bridges classical Marxist debates with contemporary concerns and offers fresh insights into ideology, interpretation, and the role of Law in shaping society.