Introduction to key theories, concepts, tools of economic analysis of law, as well as investigation into their relevance to contemporary social and legal issues, by examining the key components of national and international legal systems, with the focus on differences between american and european approach to the same issues. Although certain important and rather complex economic issues are discussed during the course, it does not require a background in economics. Rather, the course aims to help in understanding the nature of the relationship between the law and the economics in the evolution of contemporary legal systems. The course is built with a balance of historical and theoretical approaches in the study of practical issues, such as transaction costs, externalities, competition, game theory, welfare state and public choice theory.
The aims of this course are:
To examine critically and to give students an insight into the methods and tools of economic analysis of law by which it could assess the impact of the legal system to the economic well-being of individual members of society, as well as the community as a whole, with special emphasis on the sources and the effectiveness of the application of law in countries in transition.
Finally, in addition to transmitting knowledge, the goal is to develop students’ capacity for analytical thinking and problem-solving approach to research the effects of legal norms and the award and provide them with the theoretical tools to help them assess their economic efficiency and impact.