General Administrative Law by Merkl and General Concepts of Administrative Law by Posvar in a comparative view
Abstract
The paper compares two books: the celebrated General Administrative Law by Merkl and the half-forgotten General Concepts of Administrative Law by Posvar. Their authors espouse normativism: As for Merkl, its Viennese branch; and Posvar, the Brno branch.
They do so un-dogmatically. Both works are up to a high standard, although Merkl's work has the character of a monograph and that of Posvar is propaedeutic.
Differences between them largely lie in their scope, thoroughness of treatment and circumstances in which they were written. Some differences of opinion are also noticeable.
What matters is that these books can be used as a source of information and inspiration although the world and administrative studies have since covered a great distance.