The peculiar economics of doping in sports

Abstract

The problem of doping in sports consists of a social dilemma situation in which, in equilibrium, each athlete consumes doping means although each one would be better off if everybody gave up taking performance-stimulating drugs. Based on a rational-choice analysis, a proposal which focuses on the «demand side» of the problem is made how this dilemma may be overco
me. An abstract, non-enumerative definition of the doping offense is put forward which classifies all substances enhancing the atheletes' performance and damaging their health as doping means. In a multilateral «fairness compact» among all participants involved, sports associations and promoters would have to committhemselves on a life-long suspension of all athletes tested positi
vely. Sponsors would have to provide the financial basis for an independent monitoring and enforcement agency. It is argued
that this proposal not only drains the doping problem in an in centive-compatible way but also avoids the inefficiencies and in
human consequences of actual doping practices.