Journal of Economic Literature

Book Reviews

2026-09-01

Robert O. Keohane of Princeton University reviews “The Economic Structure of International Law” by Joel P. Trachtman,. The EconLit Abstract of the reviewed work begins “Presents a law and economics-based theoretical perspective on the structure of the international legal system. Discusses the insights gained from transaction cost economics and property rights theory; the capacity for binding transfer of authority through customary international law; treaty; a law and economics perspective on the formation and utility of international organizations; the allocation of authority among different functional organizations; and the role of the adjudicator in international law. Trachtman is Professor of International Law in the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Index.”

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DOI https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.47.2.482.r20