Compliance Theories: A Literature Review

Though often overlooked by political scientists, the issue of regulatory compliance is the subject of a wide range of interdisciplinary literature, which is presented and discussed here. The empirical works available on the subject are copious and diverse, but wanting in a cumulative approach. The field lacks a consistent theoretical framework to allow for the multiple interacting factors that contribute to compliance. This article presents and discusses the main theoretical approaches that have been explored over the past ten years in attempts to provide such an integrated theory of compliance.