Evolutionary Approaches to Legal Change
Thunen-Series of Applied Economic Theory Working Paper No. 47
33 Pages Posted: 27 Jan 2005
Date Written: December 2004
Abstract
Institutions matter both for long-term economic evolution as well as for more short-termed economic performance. The law is particularly important in shaping the institutional framework for economic activities. This paper gives an overview of typical evolutionary explanations of legal change, i.e. the generation and dissemination of legal innovations over time. The main actors, the key determinants, and the central mechanisms are identified. In addition to approaches which deal primarily with statutory respectively judge-made legal change, the concept of legal paradigms and path dependence, the co-evolution of law and technology and the impact of institutional competition on legal change are discussed.
Note: Downloadable document is in German.
Keywords: Evolutionary economics, law and economics, judge-made legal change, legislation, technological change, path dependence
JEL Classification: B52, B53, K40, P16
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation