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Robbing a robber is not robbing

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Listed:
  • Dib-Slamani, Hind
  • Grolleau, Gilles
  • Mzoughi, Naoufel

Abstract

Do outside observers judge differently an identical act of robbery if the victim is known as a robber rather than an honest individual? Popular wisdom, as magnified in several proverbs, suggests that most people do. We examine such a tenet using an experimental survey in Algeria (North-Africa). We also examine whether a differentiated moral judgement holds for two occupations tarnished with the reputation of robbing consumers, namely bankers and customs officials. Our findings support the proverb that ‘robbing a robber is not robbing’ and even its extension to custom officials. However, robbing a banker has not been found to be significantly different from robbing an honest individual. We draw several business and policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Dib-Slamani, Hind & Grolleau, Gilles & Mzoughi, Naoufel, 2022. "Robbing a robber is not robbing," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 1-7.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:quaeco:v:85:y:2022:i:c:p:1-7
    DOI: 10.1016/j.qref.2020.10.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bankers; Custom officials; Ethics; Experimental survey; Robbers; Victims;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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