An Autopsy of Cooperation: Diamond Dealers and the Limits of Trust-Based Exchange

37 Pages Posted: 21 Apr 2016 Last revised: 12 Oct 2017

See all articles by Barak D. Richman

Barak D. Richman

Duke University School of Law; CERC, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine; George Washington University - Law School

Date Written: October 2017

Abstract

Both academic and popular representations of the diamond industry describe trust-based relations that sustain trade and support the industry’s private arbitration system. In recent years, however, trust among merchants has eroded, and merchants have correspondingly lost confidence in the industry’s arbitration. This article describes the events that have led to the breakdown of cooperative trust in the industry and derives lessons regarding the nature and limits of reputation-based exchange in the modern economy. 

Keywords: trust-based exchange, diamond dealers, private ordering, coordinated punishments

JEL Classification: L14, K4, D23

Suggested Citation

Richman, Barak D., An Autopsy of Cooperation: Diamond Dealers and the Limits of Trust-Based Exchange (October 2017). The Journal of Legal Analysis (2017), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2764470 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2764470

Barak D. Richman (Contact Author)

Duke University School of Law ( email )

210 Science Drive
Box 90362
Durham, NC 27708
United States
919-613-7244 (Phone)
919-613-7231 (Fax)

CERC, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine ( email )

United States

George Washington University - Law School ( email )

2000 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
United States

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