Journal de l'économie mondiale

The Intervention and Regulation of Pornography: Internal Punishment,Negative Externality, and Legal Paternalism

Abstract

Yen Lai P, Dong Y, Wang M and Wang X

This paper explores whether the intervention and regulation of pornography can be justified from the grounds of internal punishment, negative externality, and legal paternalism. Our investigations were based on questionnaires collected from students and visitors in a HK university. The results point to a severe build-in punishment, a weak perceived negative externality, and a weak legal paternalism associated with the consumption of pornography. Taken together, the intervention and regulation of pornography can not be substantiated on those grounds.

JEL Classification

K22