What are the main theories of jurisprudence?

The three main theories of jurisprudence are analytical jurisprudence, normative jurisprudence and critical theories of law. These three categories ask questions of law. They determine what it is, what its purpose is and the best answer to these questions, according to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Analytical jurisprudence usually tries to prove a system of normality for laws and to show discrepancies between other systems of norm. In theory, analytical jurisprudence provides conditions for the necessary existence of laws in comparison to that of nonlaws. Normative jurisprudence evaluates laws and corrects laws if they impede on human freedom or rights. Critical theories of law overlook this jurisprudence and admit how to best answer the questions that arise from them, states the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.