Louis Kaplow

The Theory of Taxation and Public Economics

National Bureau of Economic Research

Altruistically motivated gifts involve a species of consumption externality. Donors obtain an altruistic benefit from the effect of their gifts on donees' utility but do not take into account that the benefit to donees is itself relevant to social welfare. The level of gift-giving thus will be lower than is optimal. A subsidy can correct this problem, while compulsory transfers (assuming the state lacks information about who is altruistic) and bargaining between donors and donees cannot. The rationale for subsidizing gifts offered here does not depend on whether the donee's activity is a public good (as with gifts for medical research) or whether the transfer tends to equalize the wealth of donors and donees -- factors emphasized in the existing literature on the subject

A Note on Subsidizing Gifts

Aaron S. Edlin

Phillip E. Areeda

C. Scott Hemphill

Distinguished authorship characterizes Antitrust Analysis: Problems, Text, and Cases, first written by Phil Areeda, the leading antitrust commentator of the 20th century. The text continues to be revised by three of the leading lawyer economists of the early 21st century. This traditional casebook is also known for its pedagogy (cases, explanatory text, and problems) and insightful text that conveys essential background information along with necessary economic principles. Recognizing that the most important development in antitrust doctrine over the past fifty years is the increasingly central role of economic analysis, the authors take great care to convey economic learning to students in plain language with a minimum of technical apparatus, resulting in a powerful volume adopted by experienced instructors and first-time teachers alike. Helpful appendices include Selected Statutes, such as the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act. New to the Eighth Edition: The addition of C. Scott Hemphill as a co-author, adding to the already distinguished author team. Since the last edition, antitrust enforcers and courts have struggled to grapple with the rising importance of platforms in our increasingly digital economy. The new edition gives extensive attention to these developments, including: The Supreme Court’s decision in Ohio v. American Express Major enforcement actions against Apple, Facebook, and Google New Vertical Merger Guidelines Completely rewritten and streamlined introductory material in Chapter 1. Professors and student will benefit from: Distinguished authorship: Original author Areeda was the leading antitrust commentator of the 20th century; Kaplow, Edlin, and Hemphill are leading lawyer-economists of the early 21st century. Pedagogy: Traditional casebook with cases, explanatory text, and problems. Insightful textual explanations convey essential background information and necessary economic principles. Adopted by experienced instructors and first-time teachers alike. Appendix includes selected statutes and the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act. Teaching materials Include: Teacher’s Manual

Problems, Text, and Cases

Antitrust Analysis

Abstract: Much legal advice is provided after individuals have committed acts -- when they come before a tribunal -- rather than at the time they decide how to act. This paper considers the effects and social desirability of such legal advice. It is emphasized that 1egl advice tends to reduce expected sanctions, which may encourage acts subject to sanctions. There is, however, no a priort basis for believing that this is socially undesirable, because, among other reasons, it may be possible to raise the level of sanctions to offset their dilution due to legal advice. In addition, legal advice has no general tendency to improve the effectiveness of the legal system through its influence on the information presented to tribunals.

Louis Kaplow

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