American Legal Realism

American Legal Realism is a 20th-century legal theory that emphasizes the importance of how laws are actually applied in practice, rather than just how they are written. Realists argue that judges' decisions, societal factors, and real-world consequences play a critical role in the law's development and enforcement. This perspective suggests that legal outcomes are often influenced by social, economic, and political contexts rather than merely by legal texts. Legal Realism encourages a more pragmatic understanding of law, focusing on the realities of legal systems and their impact on people's lives.