Overcoming the Legal Nihilism in Contemporary Russia

About the authors:

Pavel S. Zhvavy, Undergraduate Student, Institute of State and Law, University of Tyumen; pavelnord98@mail.ru

Nikolai M. Dobrynin, Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation, Dr. Sci. (Jur.), Professor, Department of Theoretical and Public Law Disciplines, Institute of State and Law, University of Tyumen; belyavskaya@partner72.ru

Abstract:

This article analyzes such notions as “legal nihilism” and “legal idealism” and their historical and cultural backgrounds. The authors try to answer the question of how to employ this socio-legal phenomenon in contemporary Russia.

They conclude that overcoming of legal nihilism is a very complicated and lengthy process. It can be achieved by increasing the level of legal culture (besides the culture in general); promoting justice; preventing crime; improving legislation; mass legal education; strengthening the rule of law, state discipline; respect for a person’s personality, his/her rights and freedoms; training highly qualified lawyers; a law reform.

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