Past research and literature

suggest that legal institutions drive economic development. Yet China has grown for decades without the fundamental legal infrastructure that was once considered necessary. This is called the ''China puzzle'' or the ''China myth''.

Comparison of legal systems

By carefully comparing the four key branches of private law in China and Taiwan - a jurisdiction that grew with modest legal institutions and shares similar legal and non-legal culture - this collaborative and novel book demystifies the ''China puzzle''.

Analytical approach

Top scholars in the field use an economics-focused analytical approach to explain how and why the laws have taken such paths over the past four decades.

Focus of the study

Comparing property, contract, tort, and corporate laws in China and Taiwan, these authors delve deeply into key doctrines to provide a meaningful account of the evolution of private law in these two jurisdictions.