This paper discusses the present 'legal consciousness' literature and seeks to identify two
different conceptions of legal consciousness. Most of this literature originated in the United
States, but there has also been a growing interest in issues of legal consciousness in
Europe. The use of the term 'legal consciousness' in these European discussions is,
however, remarkably different from its use in the United States literature. It is argued that the
most commonly used 'American'conception of legal consciousness reflects important ideas …