Benjamin Klein's Contributions to Law and Economics

PIONEERS OF LAW AND ECONOMICS, Lloyd R. Cohen, Joshua D. Wright, eds., Edward Elgar Publishing, 2009

George Mason Law & Economics Research Paper No. 08-31

47 Pages Posted: 12 Jun 2008 Last revised: 4 Nov 2009

Date Written: 2008

Abstract

This chapter in the book PIONEERS OF LAW AND ECONOMICS explores the contributions of Benjamin Klein to law and economics. I explore the intellectual foundations of Klein's pioneering analysis of the hold-up problem, the theory of the firm, vertical restraints, franchising, and the role of contract terms in facilitating self-enforcement of contractual relationships. I also discuss the significant influence of Klein's work on antitrust law, as well as its implications for contract interpretation. Klein's pioneering work over the past 30 years has not only provided us with a much greater understanding of contractual arrangements, but also a model for law and economics scholars and economists interested in explaining real world phenomenon rather than merely producing blackboard insights.

Keywords: antitrust, asset specificity, contract interpretation, contract theory, franchising, hold-up, industrial organization, theory of the firm, vertical restraints

JEL Classification: D23, D86, K00, K12, K21, L14, L42

Suggested Citation

Wright, Joshua D., Benjamin Klein's Contributions to Law and Economics (2008). PIONEERS OF LAW AND ECONOMICS, Lloyd R. Cohen, Joshua D. Wright, eds., Edward Elgar Publishing, 2009, George Mason Law & Economics Research Paper No. 08-31, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1143568

Joshua D. Wright (Contact Author)

Lodestar Law and Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 751
Mclean, VA 22101
United States

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