The Comparative Law and Economics of Energy Markets

Scholars, policymakers and market players can draw on a huge amount of information on every significant issue in energy markets. The problem is that the level of interdisciplinary exchange among the different disciplines with an interest in energy issues appears quite low. Neither economists nor legal scholars appear aware of the methodological debates going on in other fields. Perhaps more worrisome, applied, non- academic literature explicitly addressed to policymakers does not display any interdisciplinary awareness. This chapter is devoted to a systematic discussion of the main methodological issues. By providing examples of energy issues and linking them to specific methodological problems, it is hoped that the main steps of Comparative Law and Economics analysis can be clarified and interdisciplinary dialogue fostered. Further, reflections on CLE methodology in the energy sector are probably the best way to increase its relevance for policymakers.