LAFITSKY V.I. Levels of Comparative Law

Abstract: The article analyses such objects of comparative law as legal space of the world, major legal families, groups and communities of legal systems, forming legal communities, national legal systems, law of international community. The main lines breaking-up the legal space of the world are different religious traditions. There are families of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, Judaic, Shintoist and Heathen legal traditions. The author singles out also the family which is built on the rejection of spiritual (ethical) values and which is in the main characteristic to the totalitarian states. Next lines breaking-up the legal space of the world into groups and communities of legal systems are predetermined by such factors, as general national and historic roots, structural and functional and style peculiarities of law. The author describes the processes of formation of new groups and communities of legal systems, specific features in the development of national legal systems, impact of international law on the legal space of the world and on the national legal systems. Key words: comparative law, legal space of the world, major legal families, groups and communities of legal systems, forming legal communities, national legal systems, law of international community