ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some economic perspectives on the interaction between contract law and competition (antitrust) law. It surveys relevant aspects of the literature and provides some specific examples of the theory and development of contract enforcement institutions; the vertical contractual relationships between firms at different levels in the production and supply chain; and the role of contracts in enabling specialised investments to take place by limiting opportunism, spreading risks and assigning property rights. It considers the lessons that developing countries may draw from this literature as they consider the sequencing of reforms relating to contract and competition law, and the economic implications of the commitment of resources to developing Westernstyle legal frameworks in each area of law.
