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Posner versus Kelsen: the challenges for scientific analysis of law

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  • Magdalena Małecka

    (University of Helsinki)

Abstract

Law & economics scholars claim, among other things, to provide explanations of how law impacts behaviour. The aim of this article is to shed light on the conceptual and methodological difficulties related to analysis of the impact that law has on behaviour. The analysis advanced in the paper takes as its starting point a commentary on Richard Posner’s interpretation of Hans Kelsen’s pure theory of law. The work of Kelsen is treated as a meta-theoretical analysis that reveals some of the presumptions of theoretical approaches to law that claim to be scientific and, in particular, that claim to scientifically analyse the law’s influence on behaviour. The article concludes with a methodological proposal on how to approach the identified methodological challenges and conceptual tensions that law & economics contends with.

Suggested Citation

  • Magdalena Małecka, 2017. "Posner versus Kelsen: the challenges for scientific analysis of law," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 43(3), pages 495-516, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:ejlwec:v:43:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s10657-016-9552-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10657-016-9552-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cartwright,Nancy, 2007. "Hunting Causes and Using Them," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521860819, September.
    2. R. H. Coase, 2013. "The Problem of Social Cost," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 56(4), pages 837-877.
    3. Robert D. Cooter & Ariel Porat, 2014. "Getting Incentives Right: Improving Torts, Contracts, and Restitution," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 10268.
    4. Posner, Richard A., 1984. "Wealth maximization and judicial decision-making," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 4(2), pages 131-135, December.
    5. Harnay, Sophie & Marciano, Alain, 2009. "Posner, Economics And The Law: From “Law And Economics” To An Economic Analysis Of Law," Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Cambridge University Press, vol. 31(2), pages 215-232, June.
    6. Francesco Parisi & Charles K. Rowley (ed.), 2005. "The Origins of Law and Economics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2695.
    7. Elisabeth Krecke, 2015. "Posnerian Economic Analysis of Law and Kelsenian Legal Positivism: How Similar are They?," History of Economic Ideas, Fabrizio Serra Editore, Pisa - Roma, vol. 23(3), pages 167-194.
    8. Cartwright,Nancy, 2007. "Hunting Causes and Using Them," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521677981, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Richard Posner; Hans Kelsen; Law & economics; Pure theory of law; Scientific analysis of law and the law’s impact;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K - Law and Economics
    • B - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology
    • A - General Economics and Teaching

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