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The Macroeconomic Effects of Legal- Simplification Programmes

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  • Luis Costa
  • Miguel St. Aubyn

Abstract

Legal simplification may improve the quality of institutions in industrialised countries that developed over-complex legal systems. In theory, this type of regulatory reform promotes economic efficiency, leading to higher levels of productivity and output. In this paper we use a Panel Factor-Augmented VAR approach to measure the long-run impact of legal-simplification programmes in total factor productivity. We identify shocks using data on regulatory quality and exploring qualitative information publicly available. The estimated long-run impact on total factor productivity of a typical programme is significant and about 0.6 per cent.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis Costa & Miguel St. Aubyn, 2012. "The Macroeconomic Effects of Legal- Simplification Programmes," Working Papers Department of Economics 2012/12, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, Department of Economics, Universidade de Lisboa.
    • Handle: RePEc:ise:isegwp:wp122012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E02 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Institutions and the Macroeconomy
    • K10 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - General (Constitutional Law)
    • K20 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - General
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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