Handbook of Law and Economics (Volume 1)

Handbook of Law and Economics (Volume 1) by Polinsky, A. Mitchell. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780444512352.

Law can be viewed as a body of rules and legal sanctions that channel behavior in socially desirable directions ― for example, by encouraging individuals to take proper precautions to prevent accidents or by discouraging competitors from colluding to raise prices. The incentives created by the legal system are thus a natural subject of study by economists. Moreover, given the importance of law to the welfare of societies, the economic analysis of law merits prominent treatment as a subdiscipline of economics. Our hope is that this two volume Handbook will foster the study of the legal system by economists. *The two volumes form a comprehensive and accessible survey of the current state of the field.*Chapters prepared by leading specialists of the area.*Summarizes received results as well as new developments.