Throughout their careers lawyers are primarily concerned with understanding and interpreting the law rather than understanding either the underlying policy reasons for that law or its political consequences. Political scientists, on the other hand, are primarily concerned with understanding the relationship between law and certain goals such as a democratic society or good government, but give little consideration as to how these policies will be implemented or interpreted by the courts.
In recent years, lawyers and political scientists have been asked to advise on the creation of new constitutions (e.g., newly democratic countries in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia or for new organisations such as the European Union). This experience has underlined the fact that:
1. Lawyers need to understand the political context in order to interpret laws;
2. Political scientists need to understand the legal framework in which political actors operate and
3. Both need political and legal skills if they are to provide good advice to decision-makers.
In recent years, lawyers and political scientists have been asked to advise on the creation of new constitutions (e.g., newly democratic countries in Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia or for new organisations such as the European Union). This experience has underlined the fact that:
1. Lawyers need to understand the political context in order to interpret laws;
2. Political scientists need to understand the legal framework in which political actors operate and
3. Both need political and legal skills if they are to provide good advice to decision-makers.