This book examines the intricate dynamics of when individuals adhere to laws, taking into account the context in which laws attempt to shape human behavior. While existing literature touches upon various reasons why people comply with laws, the book focuses on a critical question which has been missing from the discussion: when do people obey laws?

By treating law as a form of social communication, it develops an integrated framework to answer this question. It explores how social, psychological, and institutional conditions shape compliance decisions of individuals. What does a law...