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Why is it that some countries become rich while others remain poor? Do markets require regulation to function efficiently? If markets offer an efficient way of exchanging goods, why do individuals even create firms? How are economic transactions organized in the absence of a state that could enforce contracts and guarantee property rights? Institutional economics has allowed social scientists to answer many fundamental questions about the organization and functioning of societies. This introduction to institutional economics is concise, yet easy to understand. It not only caters to students of economics but to anybody interested in this topical research area and its specific subfields. Both formal and informal institutions (such as customs, habits, and traditions) are discussed with respect to their causes and consequences, highlighting the important part they play for economic growth and development.
List of contents
Preface; Introduction; 1. The basics; 2. Simple transactions; 3. Repeated and long-term transactions: on the choice of governance structures with given institutions; 4. Institutions and collective action; 5. The relevance of institutions for growth and development; 6. Explaining differences in external institutions across societies; 7. Explaining change in internal institutions; 8. On the need for normative theory; 9. Consequences for economic policy; 10. Outlook.
About the author
Stefan Voigt is Chair of Economic Analysis of Law at the Universität Hamburg and Director of its Institute of Law and Economics. He is also a fellow with CESifo (Munich). Voigt is one of the editors of Constitutional Political Economy and a member of various editorial boards, including those of Public Choice and the International Review of Law and Economics.
Summary
A concise and clear introduction to the new institutional economics that summarizes and explains current knowledge whilst addressing its gaps and weaknesses. For undergraduate and postgraduate students taking their first course on institutional economics, or anyone interested in the subject and its specific subfields.
Additional text
'The literature on institutional economics is vast. This book isn't just the place to start, it will take you all the way to the research frontier. An authoritative survey.' James A. Robinson, University of Chicago
Report
'This book covers both contemporary and historical thinking on topics which are at the core of our understanding of how markets and governments work. Although grounded in economics research and thinking, it is written in a way that makes it accessible to a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds.' Timothy Besley, W. Arthur Lewis Professor of Development Economics, London School of Economics
