Network structure reveals patterns of legal complexity in human society: The case of the Constitutional legal network

PLoS One. 2019 Jan 23;14(1):e0209844. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209844. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Complexity in nature has been broadly found not only in physical and biological systems but also in social and economic systems. Although many studies have examined complex systems and helped us understand real-world complexity, the investigation to the legal complexity has not been thoroughly investigated. Here we introduce a novel approach to studying complex legal systems using complex network approaches. On the basis of the bipartite relations among Constitution articles and Court decisions, we built a complex legal network and found the system shows the heterogeneous structure as generally observed in many complex social systems. By treating legal networks as unique political regimes, we examine whether structural properties of the systems have been influenced as the society changes, or not. On one hand, there is a core structure in all legal networks regardless of any social circumstances. On the other hand, with relative comparison among different regimes' networks, we could identify characteristic structural properties that reveal their identity. Our analysis would contribute to provide a better understanding of legal complexity and practical guidelines for use in various legal and social applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Constitution and Bylaws
  • Humans
  • Jurisprudence
  • Political Systems
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Networking
  • Societies / ethics*
  • Societies / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • United States

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2016S1A5A8019490), and BizData, Inc. (G01180535).