Guido Calabresi

Guido Calabresi is an American legal scholar and judge known for his work on tort law and the economic analysis of accidents. In his influential book, The Cost of Accidents (1970), Calabresi proposed the theory of "general deterrence." This theory suggests that the market should determine the desirability of accident-causing activities by factoring in their associated costs, including accident costs. Calabresi argued that individuals should have the freedom to choose whether to engage in an activity and bear its costs or opt for safer alternatives. He believed that the party best positioned to avoid an accident should bear the cost, promoting efficiency in accident prevention.1