Legal reform in the presence of a living custom: An economic approach

Aldashev, Gani, Platteau, Jean-Philippe, Wahhaj, Zaki (2011) Legal reform in the presence of a living custom: An economic approach. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108 (Supple). p. 21320. ISSN 1091-6490. (doi:10.1073/pnas.1017139108) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:40552)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1017139108

Abstract

Empowerment of disadvantaged groups of population is a key issue in development. One major difficulty in implementing progressive legal reforms arises from the persistent and contrary influence of custom. In this paper, we present a simple theoretical framework that analyzes how customary rules evolve under the impact of a change in formal law. This evolution is ultimately caused by a modification of relative costs and benefits of exiting the community by members of the disadvantaged groups as a result of change in the law. We also describe how the welfare of these groups is affected and provide illustrative evidence.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1073/pnas.1017139108
Additional information:	number of additional authors: 2;
Uncontrolled keywords:	dynamics of institutions, social norms
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
Institutional Unit:	Schools > School of Economics and Politics and International Relations > Economics
Former Institutional Unit:	Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Economics
Depositing User:	Stewart Brownrigg
Date Deposited:	07 Mar 2014 00:05 UTC
Last Modified:	20 May 2025 12:39 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/40552 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Wahhaj, Zaki.

Creator's ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8285-7670
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