Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between law and power in Norberto Bobbio's philosophy. According to Bobbio, this relationship leads to three issues: effectiveness of law, legitimacy of power and legality of power. This paper will explore these three issues, revealing that the latter question plays a prominent role and conducts Bobbio's intellectual journey to democracy, which is characterized by the philosopher as a set of legal rules. It is also underscored that the relationship between law and power is often intended by Bobbio as necessary because its philosophy is located within a theory of the State.