“Ditch, ditch, deep ditch.” – Social Cataclysms and Private Law

Abstract

There are periods in history that are considered to be a caesura or turning point. These periods are usually associated with significant events or changes that have transformed society, politics, economics or law. In the 19th and 20th centuries, there were several such breaking points: the rapid disintegration of traditional social structures, world wars, economic crises, changes of sovereignty, regime changes. The question under consideration, invoking Béni Grosschmid as a guide, is what happens to private law, which embodies the stability and constancy of the social order, in the event of such breakdowns.

Keywords

• béni grosschmid
• economic crisis
• world war
• nationalisation
• privatisation
• civil law