Hans Kelsen is considered to be one of the foremost legal theorists and philosophers of the twentieth century. His writing made significant contributions to many areas, especially those of legal theory and international law. Over a number of decades, he developed an important legal theory which found its first complete exposition in Reine Rechtslehre, or Pure Theory of Law, the first edition of which was published in Vienna in 1934. This is the first English translation of the first edition of that work. It covers such topics as law and morality, the legal system and its hierarchical structure and the state, and international law.

Hans Kelsen is considered to be one of the foremost legal theorists and philosophers of the twentieth century. His writing made significant contributions to many areas, especially those of legal theory and international law. Over a number of decades, he developed an important legal theory which found its first complete exposition in Reine Rechtslehre, or Pure Theory of Law, the first edition of which was published in Vienna in 1934. This is the first English translation of the first edition of that work. It covers such topics as law and morality, the legal system and its hierarchical structure and the state, and international law.