With the beginning of the winter semester 2021/22, degree programmes in International Legal Studies (LLB/LLM) will be introduced at the University of Vienna alongside the traditional Law programme. This book covers large parts of the module European and Global Legal History , which will be offered in English as a part of this course. It is a translation of the relevant chapters from the book Rechtsgeschichte. Einführung in die historischen Grundlagen des Rechts , which appeared in its fifth edition in 2019 and contains an introduction to the main aspects of Austrian and European Legal History. The first part, developments , provides a concise overview of the most relevant constitutional developments from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. The second part, structures , examines different forms of state rule: feudal monarchy, absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy, democracy, socialist dictatorship, fascist dictatorship, authoritarian corporative state and the return to democracy; a separate chapter is devoted to European integration. The third part deals with the development of legislation and jurisprudence in Austria and Europe.
