This original book challenges the assumption that the post-war period is hallmarked by the triumph of the rule of law. It presents a sophisticated interpretation of the true role played by law in modern society, sidestepping the usual emphasis in legal theory on normative questions. Tim Murphy approaches his subject by focusing on adjudication as a social practice and as a set of governmental techniques. From this viewpoint, he explores how the relationship between law, government and society has changed in the course of history in significant ways. In so doing, he addresses the central concerns of scholars, students, and the public in relation to the future of law.