The Anarchist Judge

This book explores the life of Arnold Hazeland (1859-1945), a key figure in Norwegian legal theory and public life, who notably served as a Supreme Court judge while identifying as an anarchist, and used his life to rewrite how we think about law and liberty. Hazeland fused radical politics with rigorous jurisprudence: defending workers, protecting speech, and tempering state coercion - all from the bench. The book surveys anarchist theory, historical stateless legal orders, and modern efforts (contractual, institutional, anthropological) to design non coercive norms. It advocates a pragmatic 'third way': contest authority, build mutual aid alternatives, and strategically use private law, arbitration, and supranational tools to expand freedom and equality. For reformers, lawyers, and activists who refuse easy answers, this is a clarion call: rethink institutions, unmask authority, and put brave, anarchist minded jurists at the center of change.