Abstract
In the abundance of studies in law and society, the need for determination of the direction and nature of the relationship between law and social change continues. Studies tackling this need, generally focus on the effect of legal change on social relationships. Approaches regarding law as an important tool for social change and studies claims that legal change reflects the social change can be considered in this regard. Such studies, while contributing to the relationship between social change and legal institutions, have certain limitations when it comes to establishing a comprehensive and holistic approach. These limitations stem from treating the relationship between law and society from a one- sided viewpoint. Departing from these limitations, the studies which also consider the effect of social change on law are especially gathered under Marxist approaches. However, in these approaches, there are areas open to criticism in dealing with the phenomenon of legal change in order not to fall into legal fetishism. In this fashion, touching upon Karl Renner, who provides an unique contribution to the field of law and society relations, can offer a fruitful discussion opportunity. Since Renner examines the impact of social and economic changes on law while reconciling his positivist approach with Marxism. His contribution to the relationship between law and society by focusing on the "change of function" of legal institutions shows that law can adapt to changing social conditions without changing its form. However, the fact that Renner was an actor in Austrian politics caused his works on the law to remain in the background and could not draw the attention it deserves, especially in Turkish literature. In this paper the possibilities offered by Renner’s approach, which is stuck between Marxism and positivism, to the debates on law and social relations are analyzed with a critical perspective, while consider his political life and the conditions he is in.