Contemporary life relies on regulation. The quality and safety of the water we drink, the food we eat, and the social media applications we use are all governed by multiple regulatory regimes. Although rooted in law, regulation is a multidisciplinary endeavour. Debates about regulation, particularly in the face of rapid change and the emergence of new 'risks', are now commonplace. Despite extensive scholarship, regulation is often poorly understood, even by policy-makers, with unintended and even disastrous consequences. This book offers a critical introduction to core theories, concepts, methods, tools, and techniques of regulation, including regulatory policy, instruments, enforcement, compliance, accountability and legitimacy. Weaving extracts from texts drawn from many disciplines with accessible commentary, it introduces this important field to students, scholars, and practitioners in a scholarly yet accessible and engaging manner with discussion questions and additional readings for those seeking to deepen their knowledge.

'To understand the relationship between law and regulation, we must examine regulatory theories, techniques and, crucially, how legal systems facilitate social stability while ensuring their own actors exercise authority lawfully. This brilliant book does this and much more. Through illuminating examples and references spanning a vast disciplinary terrain, it reveals how regulatory authority without legitimacy is not just hollow but dangerous. A must-read for students and seasoned scholars alike.’

Jennifer Raso - Assistant Professor of Law at McGill University and Leadership Team Member at the McGill Collaborative for AI and Society

‘Regulation is at the heart of much of our social and economic life. In this new and thoroughly revised edition, Yeung and Ranchordás provide a rich exposition of the core elements and dynamics of regulatory systems, which are generally applicable to any context and at both national and transnational level. Engagingly written, with contemporary examples and provocative discussion questions, this book is essential for anyone wanting to learn about the rich, diverse and complex practice of regulatory governance.’

Julia Black - Professor of Law and Regulation, Nuffield College, Oxford

‘A wonderfully thought-provoking book that is a great guide for navigating the complex landscapes of regulation.’

Liz Fisher - Professor of Environmental Law, University of Oxford

‘In line with its previous edition, An Introduction to Law and Regulation by Yeung and Ranchordás offers both an authoritative reference textbook and a springboard for new research agendas and theoretical frameworks for regulatory scholarship. By striking a successful balance between the foundations and the new trends, this indispensable volume is likely to stand the test of time as did its original 2007 edition.’

Alberto Alemanno - Jean Monnet Professor of EU Law, HEC, and Editor-in-Chief, European Journal of Risk Regulation

‘This sweeping and thoughtful guide to regulatory law provides an excellent introduction to what has become a central legal and policy tool used to address the most important problems of contemporary life. An Introduction to Law and Regulation serves as a valuable resource for both classroom use and individual study.’

Cary Coglianese - Edward B. Shils Professor of Law and Political Science, and Founding Director of the Penn Program on Regulation, University of Pennsylvania

‘Regulatory studies are as fragmented and complex as their subject. Yeung and Ranchordás offer a concise map of this challenging terrain. Combining excerpts from multidisciplinary scholarship with insightful commentary, they cover basic concepts, theories, and recent debates, focusing on the digital economy in particular. An essential resource for both newcomers and seasoned scholars.’

Georg Rilinger - Assistant Professor of Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management

‘It is with great pleasure that I recommend the second edition of An Introduction to Law and Regulation. Part I of this wonderful book introduces many of the economic concepts used, discusses the regulation of risk and walks us through many technological innovations which impact upon the area. This helps to make the book accessible for regulation students from a wide variety of disciplines. Part II lucidly describes theories of regulation, regulatory policy, rules, instruments and techniques, etc. It helps regulation scholars better map the field from many perspectives. Finally, Part III contains two of my favourite chapters, discussing accountability and legitimacy. So, often ignored in regulatory discussions in economic law, for example, this part provides an evaluative framework of great importance. I will certainly recommend this to my master’s students. Like the first edition, it seems likely to set the standard in this field.’

Chris Townley - Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London

‘An Introduction to Law and Regulation by Yeung and Ranchordás offers a skilful and comprehensive exploration of regulatory theory and practice in the digital age. This compelling, interdisciplinary guide navigates the complex terrain of modern regulatory conundrums, from digital transformation to pressing questions of legitimacy and accountability. Designed for academics, policymakers and practitioners alike, this book reveals the indispensable role of regulation in shaping our everyday lives and shows why understanding and taking regulation seriously matters now more than ever. A must-read for anyone invested in the law’s power to address contemporary societal challenges.’

Nathalie Smuha - legal scholar and philosopher at the KU Leuven Faculty of Law and Criminology

‘Yeung and Ranchordás offer an authoritative and piercingly clear overview of a complex field. This magisterial guide to regulation covers not just the scholarly fundamentals in an accessible way, but also remarkable and practical analyses of rapidly emerging areas of concern for regulation, including technology.’

Mary Dixon-Woods - Director of THIS Institute and The Health Foundation Professor of Healthcare Improvement Studies in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge

‘This work is a meticulous and calm examination of regulation theory, packed with innovative and classic classifications and tools for analysis. It offers scholars a robust framework to explore, dissect and critically assess the instruments and systems underlying justice and governance. For practitioners, it reveals new perspectives on their tools and the limitations of their operational contexts, encouraging more reflective and impactful approaches to action.’

Abbey Gilbert

‘This interdisciplinary introduction to regulation is an essential resource for both practitioners and students. Authored by leading experts in the field, it provides a comprehensive overview of modern theories and contemporary topics in regulation. With timely insights into legal, economic and governance aspects, covering regulatory roles of public as well as private actors, it is highly recommended for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of regulation.’

Judith van Erp - Professor of Regulatory Governance, Utrecht University

‘Regulation sits at the crossroads of theory, practice, policy and politics, weaving in complex developments in technology, sustainability and the poly-risk age. Tackling such a topic is far from easy, but Yeung and Ranchordás have done it masterfully. This book is a clear, comprehensive guide that scholars and practitioners alike will find invaluable. I will certainly use it in my research, and will advise my students to read it.’

Andrea Renda

‘Eagerly awaited, this second edition immerses readers in a regulatory landscape that has evolved significantly since the first edition. The authors employ a clever formula: they present each topic, support it with extracts from a diverse and impressive interdisciplinary body of scholarship, and then invite readers to engage with thought-provoking questions. This approach not only satisfies the intellectual curiosity of those eager to learn, but also makes complex ideas accessible, lowering disciplinary and methodological barriers. An essential read and a vital resource for both teachers and students alike!’

Claudio M. Radaelli - Professor of Public Policy, European University Institute and University College London