Torture and the Commitment Problem

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Baliga, Sandeep; Ely, Jeffrey C.
• 署名单位: Northwestern University; Northwestern University
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMIC STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6527
• DOI: 10.1093/restud/rdv057
• 发表日期: 2016
• 页码: 1406-1439
• 关键词: Incomplete information; reputation; RENEGOTIATION; CONTRACTS; DYNAMICS

摘要

We study torture as a mechanism for extracting information from a suspect who may or may not be informed. We show that a standard rationale for torture generates two commitment problems. First, the principal would benefit from a commitment to torture a suspect he knows to be innocent. Secondly, the principal would benefit from a commitment to limit the amount of torture faced by the guilty. We analyse a dynamic model of torture in which the credibility of these threats and promises is endogenous. We show that these commitment problems dramatically reduce the value of torture and can even render it completely ineffective. We use our model to address questions such as the effect of enhanced interrogation techniques, rights against indefinite detention, and delegation of torture to specialists.