Methodology of Law and Economics
Bart van Klink and Sanne Taekema (Eds.), Law and Method. Interdisciplinary research into Law (Series Politika, nr 4), Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck 2011, pp. 85-107
16 Pages Posted: 3 May 2013
Date Written: 2011
Abstract
In this chapter, written for the book 'Law and Method. Interdisciplinary Research info Law', we describe the methodology of Law and Economics. We start by discussing the mainstream economic approach to law, including the topics of rationality, the use of (sometimes unrealistic) assumptions, the distinction between positive and normative Law and Economics,and the concept of efficiency. Subsequently we describe the viewpoint that law can be seen as a way to correct different types of market failures (market power, externalities, collective goods and information asymmetry). Then we analyze the case for regulatory intervention and its limits, spending attention to the Coase theorem and the importance of transaction costs. Next we discuss insights from Behavioural Law and Economics and in our conclusion state why Law and Economics is useful to lawyers.
Keywords: Law and Economics, Methodology, Rational Choice Theory, Behavioural Economics, Efficiency, Market Failure
JEL Classification: B00, B40
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?
Recommended Papers
-
By Louis Kaplow and Steven Shavell
-
By Louis Kaplow and Steven Shavell