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.