Are Americans More Litigious? Some Quantitative Evidence
25 Pages Posted: 9 Aug 2011
Date Written: January 8, 2010
Abstract
Many observers suggest that American citizens sue more readily than citizens elsewhere, and that American judges shape society more powerfully than judges elsewhere. We examine the problems involved in exploring these questions quantitatively. The data themselves indicate that American law’s notoriety does not result from how we handle routine disputes. Instead, it results from the peculiar and dysfunctional way American courts handle particular legal doctrines like class actions.
Keywords: Litigation, law industry, international
JEL Classification: K40
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Eric Bennett Rasmusen (Contact Author)
Indiana University - Kelley School of Business - Department of Business Economics & Public Policy ( email )
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HOME PAGE: http://rasmusen.org
J. Mark Ramseyer
Harvard Law School ( email )
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