Reflection on the concept of "Legal Politics"

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Ph.D. Student, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction
In contemporary legal and political theory, the boundaries between law and politics have become deeply intertwined, giving rise to the concept of legal politics. This study aims to clarify the conceptual foundations of legal politics within the legal system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It highlights the necessity of defining this concept in order to identify both the challenges and the mechanisms for its development within Iran's legal framework.
                                                           
Methodology
This research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach based on library sources. The main research question is: What is legal politics, and how is it produced? The study explores this question through three targeted conceptual comparisons: (1) the relationship between law and politics; (2) the distinction between legal politics and legal science; and (3) the difference between legal politics and political law.
 
Results and Discussion
The article argues that legal politics emerges from the intersection of law and politics. It manifests itself in two principal processes:
1.Legalization of politics – the transformation of political intentions into enforceable legal norms (laws, regulations, and policies).
2.Political valuation of law – the use of political judgment in shaping or applying legal tools.
These processes can produce legal outcomes that are enforceable either broadly (e.g., all legislation) or specifically (e.g., official policy documents). The paper distinguishes legal politics from legal science, which seeks an objective understanding of legal norms, and from political law, which focuses on the political dimensions of lawmaking and enforcement.
 
Conclusion
Legal politics serves as a crucial analytical lens for understanding the production and legitimation of legal norms within a politically embedded context. It reveals how political intentions are formalized into binding rules and how legal reasoning is influenced by political values. Recognizing legal politics as a distinct field helps clarify the dynamic relationship between the legal and political systems in Iran and underscores the importance of developing a coherent conceptual framework for its analysis.

Keywords

Main Subjects


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