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How to make promises without having to fulfill them? An application to the food stamp program (SNAP) and rebate schemes

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Listed:
  • Douadia Bougherara

    (SMART-LERECO - Structures et Marché Agricoles, Ressources et Territoires - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - AGROCAMPUS OUEST)

  • Gilles Grolleau

    (LAMETA - Laboratoire Montpelliérain d'Économie Théorique et Appliquée - UM1 - Université Montpellier 1 - UPVM - Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - Montpellier SupAgro - Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques - UM - Université de Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Montpellier SupAgro - Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier, Montpellier SupAgro - Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier)

  • Naoufel Mzoughi

    (ECODEVELOPPEMENT - Unité de recherche d'Écodéveloppement - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique)

Abstract

In line with Veblen's contributions on the "dark side" of commercial and political relationships, we show how promises can be used to manipulate the "common man." By imposing excessive access costs on potential promisees (e.g., citizens or consumers), a promiser (e.g., a politician or a firm) can benefit from making a promise without having to wholly fulfill it. These strategically manipulated access costs can be legitimized by the need to prevent abuse and fraud that exempts the promiser from being accused of cheating. Here, two case studies on promises offered to eligible households the Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and rebates are developed. Some policy implications are drawn and extensions are suggested

Suggested Citation

  • Douadia Bougherara & Gilles Grolleau & Naoufel Mzoughi, 2010. "How to make promises without having to fulfill them? An application to the food stamp program (SNAP) and rebate schemes," Post-Print hal-01462462, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01462462
    DOI: 10.2753/JEI0021-3624440412
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-01462462
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    References listed on IDEAS

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