A Guide to Posner's Economic Analysis of Law

The author of more than 50 books and 150 articles, Richard Posner is one of the most cited legal scholars of the 20^th century. His sometimes controversial views are incredibly complex, but are unified by the use of economics to analyze law and legal phenomena. This book offers an innovative and highly original guide to Posner's economic analysis of law.

Rather than using a traditional structure, this volume guides the reader through Posner’s ideas via a series of key themes. Each chapter includes an original introduction written by Alain Marciano and Sophie Harnay, a reprint of a text either written by Posner or about his work, and additional bibliographical references to complete the presentation of Posner's ideas. Themes covered include 9/11, CIA, Altruism, Behavioral law and economics, Capitalism, Coase, Ronald, Common law, Crisis, Darwin, Efficiency, Judicial decision making, Justice, Law and Economics, Liberalism (conservatism), Markets, Morals (law and), Pragmatism, Precedent, Public intellectuals, Rationality, and Wealth, to name just a few.

In order to provide an overview of Posner's activities since the end of the 1960s, the book will include scientific articles and book chapters, newspapers, magazines articles, interviews and blog posts. This innovative approach is taken on in order to offer a truly rounded view of Posner’s work and opinions. In addition, the volume will include critical texts in order to shed light on the alleged limits of Posner's analyses and how he faced these criticisms.

This guidebook will be essential reading for all those working at the intersection of law and economics.

Alain Marciano is a Lecturer at University of Montpellier 1, France

Sophie Harnay is a Lecturer in Economics, University of Paris X - Nanterre, France