Another Look at the Eurobarometer Surveys
Published version: Common Market Law Review 50:187–206 (2013)
University of Chicago Institute for Law & Economics Olin Research Paper No. 615
29 Pages Posted: 27 Oct 2012 Last revised: 31 May 2015
Date Written: October 26, 2012
Abstract
The current proposal for a Common European Sales Law (CESL) makes a number of empirical claims in support of its argument that differences in contract law among Member States are stifling trade, and that CESL will address these barriers to cross-border trade. These empirical claims rest largely on citations to a number of Flash Eurobarometer surveys and other surveys of businesses and consumers. A closer look at these surveys reveals that the cited statistics do not support the claims that contract-law-related obstacles present special barriers to cross-border trade for small- and medium-sized enterprises and consumers. Instead, a more ambiguous picture emerges – one that may cast doubt on several of the design features of CESL. I conclude that a more careful assessment of the empirical foundations for CESL (whether in its current or a revised form) is necessary.
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