Review of THE NEW LAW AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A CRITICAL APPRAISAL (ed David M. Trubek 2006)

In a previous post, I listed a few recent academic publications on Law and Development. In an email today, I received a link to the Osgoode Hall Law Journal (by Canada's York University's Law School/ Volume 46, Number 3, Fall 2008), and noticed that there was a review on one of those books. It is a great summary of the chapters, and if you want a summary version of the entire book, read this review by Jane Murung, Visiting Researcher CLPE Fellow 2008-2009, Osgoode Hall Law School.

In particular, what I find honest and smart about her review (substance aside), I quote below:

• The potential for obscure terminology (such as the different terms the authors use to describe the Third Moment) is anticipated, and readers are advised beforehand.

• Anyone familiar with the United Nations’ varying attempts through its “Development Decades” to advance growth in developing countries, or the World Bank’s new development agenda would, at the very least, readily agree with the book’s rationale of the“Moments.” The question is whether the book’s claim that the Third Moment is “new” are well-developed and persuasive.

• The (book) convinces the reader that the present view of law is fundamentally different than before—but how depressing 

• The New Law and Economic Development is worth reading. Anyone interested in L&D, regardless of their academic background, should do so. Unlike other books about L&D, which discuss only some areas and require one to read several books to get the entire picture, this book comprehensively discusses all aspects of the field.

• This book is a required foundation for other important books, such as Kenneth W. Dam’s The Law-Growth Nexus: The Rule of Law and Economic Development and Thomas Carother’s Promoting the Rule of Law Abroad: In Search of Knowledge.