Policy Brief. States Can Increase Legal Compliance by Embracing Regulatory Pragmatism

Research conducted in adjacent districts in India and Nepal demonstrates that states can significantly increase regulatory compliance by embracing regulatory pragmatism, which takes into account on-the-ground realities, fosters the communication of accurate legal knowledge, and lowers the costs of compliance for the poor.

In this brief, recommended implementation strategies based on regulatory pragmatism include (1) disseminating information through local leaders, (2) delegating enforcement, and (3) offering low-cost compliance options. These types of strategies, which contrast with approaches that are legally doctrinaire or deterrence-based, lead to higher compliance rates, even in the absence of significant coercive capacity.

Recommended Citation: Ostermann, Susan. States Can Increase Legal Compliance by Embracing Regulatory Pragmatism. Keough School Policy Brief Series. Notre Dame, IN: Keough School of Global Affairs, 2024. https://doi.org/10.7274/25613748