Contemporary Issues in Law and Economics

by Thomas J. Miceli

Overview

Law and economics is the field of study devoted to understanding laws and legal institutions using the tools of economic theory. This growing subject has become a mainstream area of study in both law schools and economics departments and this book explores the "law and economics" approach to some of the most interesting questions, issues, and topics in law, order, and justice.

Contemporary Issues in Law and Economics considers what economists call the "positive" analysis of the law – that is, using economic theory to explain the nature of the law as it actually exists. As part of this approach the author examines questions such as, what is the economic basis for the predominance of negligence rules in tort law? And, what is the explanation for the illegality of blackmail? Furthermore, another set of questions arises where the law seems to depart from the prescriptions of economic theory, and these issues are also examined in this volume. For example, the deeply rooted norm of proportionality between punishments and crimes, and the use of escalating penalties for repeat offenders, are both explored.

With self-contained chapters written in a non-technical style, this book offers a rigorous discussion of the above themes while remaining accessible to those without formal legal or economic training. It offers the ideal introduction to the field of law and economics while also providing a basis for students in more advanced courses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138099753
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/21/2018
Pages:	186
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Thomas J. Miceli has been a professor at the University of Connecticut since 1987. His research is largely in the area of law and economics, with particular emphasis on land use and property law. He also currently serves as an associate editor for the International Review of Law and Economics.

Table of Contents

Preface, 1. On the usefulness of economics for understanding law, 2. Property rights and the Coase Theorem, 3. The choice between property rules and liability rules, 4. Does the law evolve toward efficiency?, 5. Threshold rules in law, 6. Simultaneous versus sequential care accidents and strategic negligence, 7. The tort-crime boundary, 8. Some difficulties with the economic theory of crime, 9. Escalating penalties for repeat offenders, 10. The problem with plea bargaining, 11. The (real) puzzle of blackmail, 12. Group punishment, 13. When is a contract enforceable?, 14. Efficient breach theory, 15. A question of title: rules for protecting the ownership of land, 16. Holdups and holdouts, 17. Eminent domain and the paradox of public use, 18. Regulatory takings and the compensation question, 19. Fair use: fair or foul?, 20. Lawsuits for sale?, Bibliographic essay, References, Index