There is more to law than rules, robes and precedents. Rather, law is an integral part of social practices and policies, as diverse and complex as society itself.

Thinking About Law offers a comprehensive introduction to the ways in which law has been presented and represented. It explores historical, sociological, economic and philosophical perspectives on the major legal and political debates in Australia today.

The contributors examine the position of Aborigines in the Australian legal system and the impact of the Mabo case; divisions of power in Australian society and law; the question of objectivity in law; the relationship between legislation and social change; judicial decision-making and other issues.

Accessibly written, Thinking About Law is essential reading for students and anyone interested in understanding our legal system.

All three editors teach in the Law School at the University of Melbourne. ROSEMARY HUNTER is the author of Indirect Discrimination in the Workplace (1992); RICHARD INGLEBY is a Senior Associate with Gadens Ridgeway and the author of Family Law and Society (1993); and RICHARD JOHNSTONE is co-author with M. Le Brun of The Quiet (R)evolution (1994).