Traders, Cops and Robbers

48 Pages Posted: 13 Mar 2003 Last revised: 27 Feb 2022

See all articles by James E. Anderson

James E. Anderson

Boston College - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Oriana Bandiera

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Suntory and Toyota International Centres for Economics and Related Disciplines (STICERD); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Date Written: March 2003

Abstract

Why does illegal trade often flourish without formal enforcement, but sometimes fail? Why do illegal trade-reducing policies often fail? Why do States often appear to tolerate illegal trade? A model of trade with cops and robbers provides answers. `Safety in numbers' is a key element: the equilibrium probability of successful shipments is increasing in trade volume. Even without conventional fixed costs, safety in numbers implies scale economies which can explain the absence or robustness of trade subject to predation. Spilling over between markets, safety in numbers implies that illegal trade can foster legal trade and State revenue.

Suggested Citation

Anderson, James E. and Bandiera, Oriana, Traders, Cops and Robbers (March 2003). NBER Working Paper No. w9572, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=387579

James E. Anderson (Contact Author)

Boston College - Department of Economics ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Cambridge, MA 02138
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Oriana Bandiera

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Suntory and Toyota International Centres for Economics and Related Disciplines (STICERD) ( email )

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London WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom
+44 20 7955 7519 (Phone)
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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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Bonn, D-53072
Germany

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