Inside and Outside the Law analyses the relationship between the law, the state and its citizens. Drawing on general theories and specific case-studies, it examines the diverse ways in which people in different cultural and historical settings have experienced the ambiguities of law. Its theme develops to engage with current debates concerning the status of rules and codification in social life and to the revival of interest in moralities. With chapters that encompass countries such as Peru, Mozambique, Spain, Iran, the US and Britain this book has a strong global perspective.