Abstract

Systems theory and deconstruction alike conceive of modern law as self-reflective: Modern law entails in itself its own other; from this follows its paradoxical structure which is exemplified by the concept of legal person as a “two-sides-form” (Zwei-Seiten-Form: Luhmann) of “social person” and “concrete individuality”. Systems theory and deconstruction differ, however, in how they conceive of modern law’s paradoxical self-reflection: Systems theory grants it the power of form-constitution. This is shown by Luhmann’s interpretation of the figure of subjective right; in it, law’s paradoxical self-relation has become legal form. Deconstruction instead consists in unfolding the undecidable ambiguity in the relation between paradox and form: Modern law’s paradoxical self-reflection as much constitutes as dissolves legal form. This may be called the “paradox of paradox” of self-reflective law in which Derrida sees its essentially political character.