Introduction to Law and Development (LAW351H1F)

Law can play an important role in promoting economic, social, political, and human development around the world. The purpose of this course is to understand how, when, and why it can do so. The materials will focus primarily on developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The first part of the course will provide an introduction to the law and development discourse, exploring why “law matters” for development. We will then move on to analyzing a variety of development problems using both theoretical and empirical research, focusing on case studies to explore the successes, failures, and unintended consequences of policy interventions and reforms. Topics will include issues related to legal plurality, corruption, police and judicial reform, property rights, health, education, transitional justice, foreign direct investment and international trade, the impacts of globalization, and international legal assistance.