This volume traces the evolution of the field of law and economics from its European roots to its neoclassical "Chicagoan" period to its current identity as a more fluid, transatlantic discipline. Paying special attention to the work of German economist Juergen Backhaus, who was instrumental in the reintroduction of the European perspective to the field, this book analyzes this gradual shift in the law and economics debate and provides a state-of-the-art of the literature currently being produced by the field's most active scholars. Beginning with a discussion of the history of the field and Backhaus' role in its development, the volume provides a survey of issues central to the current debate such as legal processes in both Europe and the U.S., constitutional political economy, regulatory law, and the ongoing evolution of the European Union. The importance of this volume is two-fold, as it firmly grounds the discipline in history while establishing a future research agenda. This book will be of use to researchers studying law and economics as well as those interested in institutional analysis.

Inhalt

1. The Transatlantic Roots of Law and Economics.- 2. Jürgen Backhaus on States and Constitutions: Thinking outside the Box.- 3. Economic Efficiency and the Law: Scientific Hypothesis or Pre-scientific Metaphysics.- 4. Updating the Law and Economics of Legal Parochialism.- 5. Hobbesian and Contractarian Constitutions.- 5. Bootleggers and Baptists in the Garden of Good and Evil: Understanding America's Entangled Economy.- 6. The Secrets of the Zimmermann Telegram.- 7. Networks of Regulatory Agencies in the EU.- 8. Fiscal Governance Reform in the European Union: Assessments from Law and Economics Perspective.- 9. Misconceptions about Emissions Trading in Europe.- 10. Access to Lawyers: Obstacles in Lawyer Client Relationships.- 11. The objectives of judges : where do we stand.- 12. Open Source Software as A Catalyst for Political Revolution.