Benjamin E. Hermalin
What is Crime?
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- 10.1628/0932456054193540
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This article asks which wrong doings should be considered criminal and which should be handled in some different manner. The answer is that when the state's commitment power is needed to provide deterrence, a wrong doing should be considered criminal. When, however, private parties can take actions that help them commit, such as write contracts or take precautions, then it could be better to have the resolution of wrong doings pursued privately.