Dull Compulsion and Obligation to Obey: Police Legitimacy and Compliance with the Laws in Lahore

• In Event: Cultural Geographies of Space and Crime

Abstract

Securing public compliance with the laws has been an important question for investigation. Prior research in developed countries suggests that people voluntarily adhere to laws when they perceive the police as legitimate. Substantial empirical evidence substantiates this theorization. However, there is a lack of empirical research from developing and historically colonized countries, where people often follow laws due to a sense of powerlessness—referred to as “dull compulsion.” In this study, we collected data from a diverse range of drivers in Lahore, asking about their law-abiding behavior and compliance with traffic laws. Our structural equation modeling analysis revealed more significant and complex results than previous studies that relied on simple causations. Our study suggests significant implications. First, if individuals perceive the police as illegitimate, this does not necessarily mean they will lack an obligation to obey the law. Their obligation to obey may instead be driven by their sense of morality or personal security. Second, individuals who perceive the police as illegitimate may exhibit dull compulsion, but this does not necessarily translate into compliance. Dull compulsion is a spurious display of compliance that is volatile and momentary.

Author

• Muhammad Asif, University of Toronto