The Law Growth Nexus

An increasingly popular view holds that institutions--in particular, the rule of law--are the keys to unlocking the developing world's full growth potential. But what exactly does this mean? Which legal institutions matter and why? How can policymakers use this knowledge to promote growth? In The Law-Growth Nexus, Kenneth Dam brings five decades of experience as a legal scholar and policymaker to bear upon these questions. After reviewing the burgeoning literature on legal institutions and economic development, Dam unpacks the "rule of law" concept. Successive chapters analyze enforcement, contracts, and property rights—the three concepts that collectively define rule of law—and examine their roles in the real estate and financial sectors. Dam uses an extended analysis of China to assess the importance of the rule of law. This case study illustrates several of the book's central themes, including the difficulty of building a strong, independent judiciary and firstclass financial sector. The stark fact is that many parts of what we call the developing world have stopped developing, while other regions have seen a slowdown in once-promising growth. Could new or better legal institutions help jumpstart these economies? In exploring this question, Th e Law-Growth Nexus goes beyond regression results to examine the underlying mechanisms through which the law, the judiciary, and the legal profession influence the economy. The result is essential reading for analysts and policymakers facing the challenges of legal and economic reform.

The massive differences in country incomes are largely the product of economic growth, which is in turn shaped, influenced, and determined by the legal infrastructure of a given country. There has been a growing interest in exploring the connection between legal rules and economic growth since the 1990s, which can be attributed to the influence of Harvard economist Andrei Shleifer and his colleagues (the so-called LLSV). LLSV substantially contribute to our understanding of the economic consequences of legal rules. However, their studies face serious challenges and leave a number of questions unresolved. This book is part of the academic efforts to fill gaps in LLSV's studies. The contribution of and controversy over LLSV's studies are systematically reviewed. In addition, the book scrutinizes the relationship between law (both corporate and securities law) and stock market development, analyzes the role of property law in economic development, and examines the growth experience of China. Does Law Matter for Economic Growth? will help readers to reach a deeper understanding of the relationship between law and economic growth, by revealing the weaknesses in and problems with LLSV's studies, by offering new evidence (historical, comparative, and empirical) that cast serious doubts over LLSV's conclusions, and by analyzing certain apparent anomalies that can hardly be explained by LLSV's theory. A more cautious stance regarding the law and growth nexus is ultimately reached. Law matters for economic performance, but the extent to which it matters is defined by a broader context within which political, legal, economic, and social variables influence one another and evolve together over time. It is therefore imprudent to embrace legal reform as a panacea for economic backwardness. (Series: European Studies in Law & Economics - Vol. 14)

Although funding for governance and economic growth is a part of U.S. foreign aid, it remains a relatively low priority in spite of rhetorical pronouncements to the contrary. There is significant reason, however, to reverse this trend and return to a focus on governance to ensure broad-based economic growth across the developing world. In particular, the rise of emerging economies that can increasingly contribute to their own development means the United States could reduce its focus on basic human needs and toward the growth and governance nexus. This will require a shift in how the United States programs its people, time, and money in delivering foreign assistance.

"Law and Finance: Exploring the Nexus" is a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between legal principles and financial practices. This book delves into various aspects of law and finance, including their historical development, theoretical underpinnings, and practical applications. From the evolution of financial regulations to the impact of legal frameworks on economic development, this book provides a thorough analysis of how law and finance interact and influence each other. It also examines case studies and real-world examples to illustrate key concepts and principles. Whether you're a student, practitioner, or enthusiast in either field, "Law and Finance: Exploring the Nexus" offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between law and finance and its implications for modern society.

From Exception to Promotion: Re-Thinking the Relationship between International Trade and Environmental Law tells a new, unconventional story of the nexus between international trade and environmental law - a story in which the keyword is synergy rather than conflict, and where the trade regime was always meant for something greater than simply trade liberalization. This ‘something greater’ was peace in the first half of the 20th century. Today, it is sustainable development, environmental protection, and social inclusion. Environmental protection is therefore neither antithetical to the overarching purpose of the trading system nor simply a ‘non-trade’ issue to be incorporated within the trade regime, but rather part of its very nature and purpose. By telling this ‘untold’ story of the nexus, this book intends to raise historical awareness and open a constructive discussion on the future of the trade regime and of international economic law governance at large.

This comprehensive volume brings together the major essays in the subject of law and development. The first sections concerns the relationship between legal systems and social, political and economic change in developing countries. The second section seeks to explain issues which concern law and development in the domestic context.

An essential history of India's economic growth since 1947, including the legal reforms that have shaped the country in the shadow of colonial rule. Economists have long lamented how the inefficiency of India's legal system undermines the country’s economic capacity. How has this come to be? The prevailing explanation is that the postcolonial legal system is understaffed and under-resourced, making adjudication and contract enforcement slow and costly. Taking this as given, Law and the Economy in a Young Democracy examines the contents and historical antecedents of these laws, including how they have stifled economic development. Economists Roy and Swamy argue that legal evolution in independent India has been shaped by three factors: the desire to reduce inequality and poverty; the suspicion that market activity, both domestic and international, can be detrimental to these goals; and the strengthening of Indian democracy over time, giving voice to a growing fraction of society, including the poor. Weaving the story of India's heralded economic transformation with its social and political history, Roy and Swamy show how inadequate legal infrastructure has been a key impediment to the country's economic growth during the last century. A stirring and authoritative history of a nation rife with contradictions, Law and the Economy in a Young Democracy is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand India's current crossroads—and the factors that may keep its dreams unrealized.