Economic Power and Political Power

It is possible to point to the relationship between economic power and political power in law reform. The Road and Rail Accident Case Study shows the power of railway companies and associations of car drivers in shaping the early legislation in these fields. If such groups have standing in the judicial or legislative process, they can be influential in shaping the way law responds to economic change.

The diversity of approaches in Europe suggests that the particular way in which a legal system responds to economic change is determined as much by the social factors, as by the economy itself. The position of the legal community as a sub-set of the social system mirrors this. The different parts of the legal community have their own dynamics. But the most reflective parts (academic writing and lobby groups) will have available ideas and solutions (often based on comparative law). Those who plead cases in court or who advise legislators have short-term objectives. They draw on the available ideas and solutions prepared by academic writing and lobby groups.