The most famous element in Bentham's theory of punishment, the Panopticon Prison, expresses his view of the two … purposes of punishment, deterrence and special prevention. We investigate Bentham's intuition in a public goods lab experiment … by manipulating how much information on punishment experienced by others is available to would-be offenders. Compared …

, even if punishment is costly. However, these studies focus on situations where there is no uncertainty about others …' behavior. We investigate punishment in a world with “reasonable doubt” about others' contributions. Interestingly, people … level of a setting without punishment. Our findings suggest that sufficient information accuracy about others' behavior is …

, even if punishment is costly. However, these studies focus on situations where there is no uncertainty about others …' behavior. We investigate punishment in a world with “reasonable doubt” about others' contributions. Interestingly, people … some non-trivial degree of noise, punishment (1) cannot maintain high contributions and (2) reduces welfare even below the …

controlled conditions, we have conducted a public goods experiment with central punishment. The authority is neutral - she does … not benefit from contributions to the public good. Punishment is costly. Along with the punishment decisions the authority … writes justifications for her decisions. In the Baseline, authorities are requested to justify punishment decisions, but the …

) there is preference uncertainty. In a linear public good with punishment meted out by a disinterested participant, I test … two implications of the model: (a) participants increase contributions in reaction to imperfect punishment; (b) imperfect … punishment helps sustain cooperation if participants experience free-riding …

, even if punishment is costly. However, these studies focus on situations where there is no uncertainty about others …' behavior. We investigate punishment in a world with “reasonable doubt” about others' contributions. Interestingly, people … level of a setting without punishment. Our findings suggest that sufficient information accuracy about others' behavior is …

) there is preference uncertainty. In a linear public good with punishment meted out by a disinterested participant, I test … two implications of the model: (a) participants increase contributions in reaction to imperfect punishment; (b) imperfect … punishment helps sustain cooperation if participants experience free-riding. -- deterrence ; public good experiment ; inequity …

punishment; with decentralised punishment qualified by the risk of counterpunishment. In all environments, the effect of first …

less to a joint project; punishment cost is higher; efficiency is lower; inequity is higher. While experimental subjects … themselves do trust the institution less if punishment does not become effective immediately. -- probation ; recidivism ; public … goods ; punishment ; experimental economics …