Are Americans More Litigious? Some Quantitative Evidence

Eric Rasmusen () and John Ramseyer

No 2010-18, Working Papers from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, Department of Business Economics and Public Policy

Abstract: Many observers suggest that American citizens sue more readily than citizens elsewhere, and that American judges shape society more powerfully than judges elsewhere. We examine the problems involved in exploring these questions quantitatively. The data themselves indicate that American law’s notoriety does not result from how we handle routine disputes. Instead, it results from the peculiar and dysfunctional way American courts handle particular legal doctrines like class actions.

Keywords: Litigation; law industry; international (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: K40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-01
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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