When Do People Obey Laws?

This book examines the intricate dynamics of when individuals adhere to laws, taking into account the context in which laws attempt to shape human behavior. While existing literature touches upon various reasons why people comply with laws, the book focuses on a critical question which has been missing from the discussion: when do people obey laws?By treating law as a form of social communication, it develops an integrated framework to answer this question. It explores how social, psychological, and institutional conditions shape compliance decisions of individuals. What does a law signify? When does the compulsion to obey arise? When do individuals comply out of a fear for legal sanctions or social repercussions? Why do some laws have high symbolic values and others fail despite harsh punishments?The book unveils the contextual intricacies that underlie obedience to law. It challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on the power and limitations of law in shaping human behavior. For scholars and academics seeking a deeper understanding of legal compliance and role of law in shaping behaviors, this book will be an indispensable resource.

Shubhangi Roy is a social science researcher who focuses on the role of laws and informal norms in social development. She is a Fellow at the Institute of Law and Economics, University of Hamburg and member of the Faculty of Law at OP Jindal Global University. She has also been the Adam Smith Fellow in Political Economy at Mercatus Centre, Arlington, USA from 2021-23. She holds a Doctorate in Law from University of Münster, an LLM from University of Chicago Law School and a B.A. LL.B. from Gujarat National Law University.