Consumer Contracts: Behavioral Economics vs. Neoclassical Economics

62 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2007

See all articles by Oren Bar-Gill

Oren Bar-Gill

Harvard Law School

Richard A. Epstein

New York University School of Law; Stanford University - Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace; University of Chicago - Law School

Abstract

In the past decade behavioral economics has established itself as a contender to the throne of neoclassical economics in the economic analysis of law. The pros and cons of behavioral as compared to neoclassical economics have been vigorously debated at the general, methodology level. But the success or failure of the behavioral challenge will be judged by its ability to improve upon neoclassical economics - both descriptively and prescriptively - in specific legal applications. Consumer contracts provide an important test case for behavioral economics. In this exchange we offer the first comprehensive debate between the behavioral and neoclassical perspectives as applied to the law and economics of consumer contracts.

Suggested Citation

Bar-Gill, Oren and Epstein, Richard A., Consumer Contracts: Behavioral Economics vs. Neoclassical Economics. NYU Law and Economics Research Paper No. 07-17, Minnesota Law Review, Vol. 92, 2007-2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=982527

Oren Bar-Gill (Contact Author)

Harvard Law School ( email )

1575 Massachusetts
Hauser 406
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Richard A. Epstein

New York University School of Law ( email )

40 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012-1099
United States
(212) 992-8858 (Phone)
(212) 995-4894 (Fax)

Stanford University - Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace

Stanford, CA 94305-6010
United States

University of Chicago - Law School ( email )

1111 E. 60th St.
Chicago, IL 60637
United States
773-702-9563 (Phone)
773-702-0730 (Fax)

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