This article discusses the notion of efficient statute law. The hypothesis that the common law develops towards efficiency is the organizing principle of the new law and economics as it originated at the University of Chicago School of Law. However, the hypothesis can be regarded as too limited....

The principle of subsidiarity has become more widely known with its prominent adoption in the Maastricht Treaty. The principle is, however, deeply embedded in the history of political economy, notably in the continental European tradition. In this tradition, it has the status of a principle in...

In drawing on modern finance theory, this note demonstrates the importance of financial instruments for large public sector projects. An explicit link to the theory of Henry George is made, and a public sector financing approach is being demonstrated by using the example of the Oder floodings in...

In this essay, I have tried to show that the European Union inititiatives towards science and technology, ostensibly in the interest of promoting employment and growth through technological advancement, have side effects that undermine the very purpose at which they aim. The funding formula and...

The judicious use of natural resources is a crucial prerequisite for sustainable growth not only in developed countries, but even more so in the Third World. To a substantial degree, natural resource use is determined by the tax structure governing a country''s economic activity. When a tax...

The judicious use of natural resources is a crucial prerequisite for sustainable growth not only in developed countries, but even more so in the Third World. To a substantial degree, natural resource use is determined by the tax structure governing a country''s economic activity. When a tax...

The recent Bertelsmann buy-out of Springer ends 157 years of fiercely independent scholarly publishing. On Tuesday February 16, 1999, the European Commission decided that, although both companies are active in professional publishing, the takeover does not raise any competitive objections...

Ecological taxes are categorically different from the classical taxes which seek to extract a certain revenue at a minimum excess burden. Classical taxes are levied so as to interfere with the market based allocation of recourses as little as possible. Ecological taxes, on the other hand, are...

This essay tries to put Simmel’s Theory of Money into the context of current discussions in economics concerning money. The essay has three parts. Part I looks at the contribution of Georg Simmel in its context, and offers remarks about the changing structure of economics as a discipline...

Harmonization of the law, in Europe and elsewhere, can be a theory driven process in which law and economics research (J.E.L. code K) can play an important role. With the example of a recent German case, the Waterpenny case, and an established piece of legislation, the Civil Code, it is shown...