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Equal before the (expressive power of) law?

Author

Listed:
  • Luise Görges

    (Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre)

  • Tom Lane

    (Newcastle University Business School)

  • Daniele Nosenzo

    (Department of Economics and Busi-ness Economics, Aarhus University)

  • Silvia Sonderegger

    (School of Economics and Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics (CeDEx), University of Nottingham)

Abstract

Building on findings showing that laws exert a causal effect on social norms, this paper investigates whether this “expressive power of law” differs by gen-der or race. We develop a model to show that such differences are theo-retically plausible. We then use an incentivized vignette experiment to test whether these differences are empirically relevant. Results from an online sample of around 4000 subjects confirm that laws causally influence social norms. However, we find little evidence of a differential effect across gender or race, suggesting that gender and race biases in the legal system are driven by other mechanisms than differences in the expressive power of law.

Suggested Citation

  • Luise Görges & Tom Lane & Daniele Nosenzo & Silvia Sonderegger, 2023. "Equal before the (expressive power of) law?," Working Paper Series in Economics 423, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:lue:wpaper:423
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social Norms; Law; Expressive Function of Law; Gender Gap; Racial Bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics
    • K1 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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