SELF-INFLICTED CAPTURE - AN EXPLORATION OF THE ROLE OF SELF-DECEPTIONIN REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT

Regulatory theorists propose the possibility of regulatory agency 'cap ture' by external interests. However, the possibility of internal capt ure, meaning 'self-inflicted,' that reflects regulator self-deception has not been expressly considered. This article probes this possibilit y by reviewing and integrating available literature on self-deception with regulatory enforcement literature. A five-stage model of regulato ry enforcement behavior reflecting by a self-deceptive motive is advan ced. A series of propositions arising from the model are presented. Th e article concludes with recommendations for minimizing self-inflicted capture's recurrence in the future.