The Economic Structure of the Law

Judge Richard A. Posner is internationally regarded as a leading exponent and a founding father of the law and economics movement. This volume draws together a selection of his most important papers on the methodology and the theory of law and economics to create a valuable collection for scholars and practitioners in the field. It includes a coherent and informative introduction by Professor Francesco Parisi containing salient insights into Judge Posner's work.

Themes explored in this volume include:

• the economics of common law
• the criterion of wealth maximization
• an economic approach to judicial rulemaking
• the application of finance theory to law
• the methodology of law and economics.

The Economic Structure of the Law draws together Judge Posner's seminal contributions on the methodological foundations of law and economics and will be a valuable reference source for economists, lawyers and judges alike.