Download This PaperA Legal Theory Without Law - Posner v. Hayek on Economic Analysis of Law
62 Pages Posted: 22 Jul 2008
Date Written: July, 22 2008
Abstract
Ernst-Joachim Mestmaecker reviews Richard Posner's and Friedrich A.von Hayek's legal theories. Both are famous for their contributions to law and economics. They are, however, adversaries in their concepts of law and how it is to be informed by economics. Posner finds the only scientific legal theory in the external (economic) analysis of law. With Friedrich von Hayek the role of rules of conduct and legislation is to be determined by the principles that govern a free and competitive order. There are, contrary to Posner, important contributions from legal scholarship, legal history and comparative law.
Keywords: Economic analysis of law
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Ernst-Joachim Mestmäcker (Contact Author)
Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law ( email )
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