Book Review: Economics of Legal Relationships (Public Procurement Policy)

This review on the book titled "Economics of Legal Relationships (Public Procurement Policy)," edited by Gustavo Piga and Tünde Tátrai. This book explores the intricate connections between legal frameworks, economic principles, and social considerations in public procurement. This book review highlighted the book's significant contributions to understanding the evolving landscape of procurement policies in light of increasing demands for efficiency, transparency, and social responsibility. The book consists of four main sections, that begins with an analysis of how social considerations are integrated into public procurement processes. It also discusses Martin Trybus' contribution on the tension between traditional procurement objectives and the necessity to address social and environmental goals. The subsequent sections in the book delve into the economic and legal complexities of centralized procurement, emphasizing the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) participating in public procurement. .

Public Procurement Public Procurement Policy Green Public Procurement

How to Cite This Article

APA Citation

Rutaba, Y. A. (2026). Book Review: Economics of Legal Relationships (Public Procurement Policy). International Journal of Economics and Management Intellectuals, 2(1), 1–4.

The first part of the book is about supporting social considerations via public procurement. This part commences with Martin Trybus’ colloquium. Martin Trybus’ colloquium explored the integration of social considerations into public procurement, evaluating the compatibility with procurement's primary objectives—value for money, competition, and transparency. A central debate here arises between advocates and opponents of secondary objectives. Critics argue these objectives complicate procurement processes, increasing costs, and hindering competition by excluding bidders unable to meet additional requirements. They emphasized on the efficient use of taxpayer money, particularly in times of fiscal constraint. Conversely, proponents argue that governments, as stewards of public resources, have a duty to advance social and environmental policies through procurement alongside traditional legal and economic instruments. This part also highlights the polarized nature of this issue, influenced by political ideologies. In sum, Trybus’ work managed to critically examine the role of public procurement in balancing efficiency and social justice, shedding light on its potential and limitations as a policy tool for societal transformation.