Self-Regulation vs State Regulation: Evidence from Cinema Age Restrictions

74 Pages Posted: 4 Mar 2018 Last revised: 23 Mar 2021

See all articles by Ryan Lampe

Ryan Lampe

California State University, East Bay - Department of Economics

Shaun McRae

ITAM, Centro de Investigación Económica

Date Written: November 25, 2020

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of self-regulation on the leniency of cinema age restrictions using cross-country variation in the classifications applied to 1,922 movies released in 31 countries between 2002 and 2011. Our data show that restrictive classifications reduce box office revenues, particularly for movies with wide box office appeal. These data also show that self-regulated ratings agencies display greater leniency than state-regulated agencies when classifying movies with wide appeal. However, consistent with theoretical models of self-regulation, the degree of leniency is small because it is not costly for governments to intervene and regulate ratings themselves.

Keywords: self-regulation, movies

JEL Classification: L51

Suggested Citation

Lampe, Ryan and McRae, Shaun, Self-Regulation vs State Regulation: Evidence from Cinema Age Restrictions (November 25, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3128622 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3128622

Ryan Lampe (Contact Author)

California State University, East Bay - Department of Economics ( email )

25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94542
United States

Shaun McRae

ITAM, Centro de Investigación Económica ( email )

Camino a Santa Teresa No. 930
Col. Héroes de Padierna
Ciudad de México
Mexico

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