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Functionalism and Political Economy in the Comparative Study of Consumer Insolvency: An Unfinished Story from England and Wales

Ramsay, Iain (2006) Functionalism and Political Economy in the Comparative Study of Consumer Insolvency: An Unfinished Story from England and Wales. Theoretical Inquiries in Law, 7 (2). pp. 625-666. ISSN 1565-1509. (doi:10.2202/1565-3404.1139) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:1648)

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Abstract

This Article is made up of two parts. The first part reflects on the dominant functionalist approach to comparative consumer bankruptcy and suggests that this might be supplemented by a political economy analysis that addresses the role of national and international interest groups, including professionals, and ideology in understanding different national responses to overindebtedness in North America and Europe. The second part examines current reforms to consumer bankruptcy and responses to overindebtedness in the UK through this political economy lens and concludes that competition among professional groups, the role and interests of the Insolvency Service, and the ideology of the Third Way in consumer policy will influence the ultimate structure adopted for addressing consumer insolvency. A study of the English experience suggests that there is also an element of national path dependency to consumer insolvency reform that may resist pressures towards convergence of approaches between countries in addressing issues of consumer insolvency.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.2202/1565-3404.1139
Subjects: K Law
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > Kent Law School
Depositing User: A. Davies
Date Deposited: 19 Dec 2007 19:07 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2023 11:29 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/1648 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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