| Abstract: | This article reviews the various theories of law applied throughout the modern
development of the Ethiopian system of rules from a criminal law perspective. As
is elsewhere, the initial influences mainly relate to the natural law theory. Later,
positivisation evolved as part of the modernisation of law. Further, as part of the
modernisation of society, the social theory of law evolved. With the PMAC
coming to power, the Marxist theory of law crept in. The excessive connection
between law and politics glamoured the instrumentality of the law. This got
prominence in the post-2005 election in Ethiopia. The theories of law are
abstracted from the manner the laws were designed, or the way they are
implemented. The discussion looks into the difference between the statutes and
the application of criminal law. Further, it shows that legal theory has a method
aspect. I finally argue for the pragmatic instrumentality of the law. |
