This note summarizes both Piketty’s Capital in the XXIst Century and the debate that it has provoked within the field of economics. Then the author reflects upon the usefulness of this thick and fascinating book for the social sciences, and in particular for the sociology of law. He stresses that the book underlines two aspects that seem to be neglected by contemporary socio-legal theory: namely, the material dimension of inequality and the long-term perspective, both of which allow for a deeper insight into the metamorphosis of capitalism.
Keywords: Piketty - Capital - Sociology of Law - Inequalities - Longue durée