critical review of weber's ideas in sociology of law

the sociology of law is concerned with explaining the relationship between law and society and studying of the social organization of law (as an order or a system), the social interactions of legal practitioners and people in this area and the meaning that people actually give to sociolegal realities. among the founding fathers of sociology, max weber is one of the most famous thinkers that even at the beginn ing of 21 st century, sociological and particularly legal sociological books and essays have seriously dealt with his ideas. in this article, first we have referred to and outlined some basic concepts in his sociology, such as historicism, ideal types, rationality and legitimacy. then the sociological definition of 'law', three forms of political authority, four types of legal thought, three kinds of judicial system, and rationalization of law from viewpoints of max weber will be discussed. finally, some of his ideas will be critically reviewed.