TESTING ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES IN THE FIELD: THREAT, MORAL APPEAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION

We run a large-scale natural field experiment to evaluate alternative strategies to enforce
\ncompliance with the law. The experiment varies the text of mailings sent to potential evaders
\nof TV license fees. We find a strong effect of mailings, leading to a substantial increase in
\ncompliance. Among different mailings, a threat treatment which makes a high detection risk
\nsalient has a significant deterrent effect. Neither appealing to morals nor imparting information about others' behavior enhances compliance on aggregate. However, the information condition has a weak positive effect in municipalities where evasion is believed to be common. (authors' abstract)