The Knowledge and Policy Limits of New Institutional Economics on Development.

I critically examine the effort of new institutional economics (NIE) scholars to define, map, and measure the realm of formal and informal institutions, and to offer specific policy prescriptions. I also articulate why these efforts face insurmountable barriers, and demonstrate the limits of the NIE policy agenda by showing that scholars are repeating lessons learned in law and development over four decades ago. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]