Economic analysis of law and experimental method ; Analyse économique du droit et méthode expérimentale
The purpose of this article is to highlight the main contributions of the experimental method to the economic analysis of the law. The experimental method shall be designed to replicate a predefined microeconomic environment and observe the behaviour of real individuals interacting within that environment. Observed behaviours can thus be confronted with theoretical predictions of the underlying models. The purpose of this article is precisely to present a number of illustrations from this confrontation. The presentation addressed in turn the question of the validity of the Coase theory, the study of competition policy, the effectiveness of dispute resolution methods and the analysis of criminal behaviour. ; International audience This article summarizes the main contributions of experimental economics to the field of law and economics. Laboratory experiments are designed so as to replicate a microeconomic environment and to observe the behaviour of real people interacting in this environment. Observed behaviour can, then, be contrasted with theoretical predictions to assess their empirical relevance. We review four streams of research in experimental law and economics: the Coase Theorem, competition policy, the efficiency of dispute resolution mechanisms, and criminal behaviour. ; The purpose of this article is to highlight the main contributions of the experimental method to the economic analysis of the law. The experimental method shall be designed to replicate a predefined microeconomic environment and observe the behaviour of real individuals interacting within that environment. Observed behaviours can thus be confronted with theoretical predictions of the underlying models. The purpose of this article is precisely to present a number of illustrations from this confrontation. The presentation addressed in turn the question of the validity of the Coase theory, the study of competition policy, the effectiveness of dispute resolution methods and the analysis of criminal behaviour. ; L'objectif de cet article ...