I examine here how Sumner's concept of the mores applies to modern
urban society—in particular to law as an epiphenomenon of the mores
rather than an influence on them. Strongly-held mores are rare in contem
porary societies. Rather, submores pervade, causing conflict among antag
onistic interests. Law can sometimes bridge these submores, as in labor-
management conflict. Law can also provide a framework within which
pervasive mores may evolve. For these reasons, law can and does contribute
much more to the mores of complex urban societies than Sumner perceived.
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