Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
2-2016
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Program
Political Science
Advisor
Thomas Halper
Committee Members
David R. Jones
Benedetto Fontana
Subject Categories
American Politics | Law and Economics
Keywords
Posner, Chicago, law, economics, antitrust, efficiency
Abstract
This dissertation analyzes the role of Richard Posner, one of the most prolific and innovative legal thinkers over the past forty years, as a judicial entrepreneur in his efforts to persuade the legal academy and judiciary to incorporate economic principles into the judicial decision making process in market and non-market areas of the law and legal discourse and thereby to re-examine the role of the judge. Though political scientists have explored the entrepreneurial activities of policy makers and political actors, they have given little attention to the role of judges as judicial entrepreneurs. This dissertation develops a comprehensive theoretical understanding of judicial entrepreneurship, analyzes Posner’s entrepreneurial characteristics and strategies, and assesses his impact on judicial decision making in the federal courts and the broader legal community.
Recommended Citation
Shannon, Sean J., "Richard A. Posner: A Study in Judicial Entrepreneurship" (2016). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/723