Commerce and cooperation: Litigation and settlement of civil disputes on the Australian frontier, 1860-1900

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Bowdoin College
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC HISTORY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-0507
• 发表日期: 2000
• 页码: 1088-1119
• 关键词: PROPERTY-RIGHTS; ECONOMIC-GROWTH; COURTS; determinants; RESOLUTION; english; TRADE; time; LAW

摘要

I examine the evolution of conflict and cooperation during economic growth by analyzing civil disputes in New South wales between 1860 and 1900. Disputes per capita fell over time and the proportion of cases settled before trial increased, but patterns varied across Locations and types of disputes. Economic conflicts were likelier to be settled than personal disputes, and the fraction of cases settled was significantly lower in frontier areas and in districts without access to transportation. The results suggest that increased market exchange facilitates the development of informal rules and encourages transactors to find cooperative solutions through private bargaining.