instigations

Instigations, and the related term instigation, refer to the act of prompting or initiating action by another party. In criminal law, instigation describes situations in which one person actively encourages, persuades, or pressures another to commit an offense. The instigator’s liability depends on the jurisdiction and on whether their conduct is understood to cause the crime and reflect culpable intent. Some legal systems treat instigation as a form of liability where the instigator is punished similarly to the principal offender, while others distinguish between instigation, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy. In many jurisdictions, incitement, solicitation, and mere encouragement might be separate offenses, with specific elements such as intent to cause the act and its actual occurrence.

Regardless of terminology, the core idea is that the instigator’s actions contribute to the commission of the crime, even if they do not physically participate in the act. The line between instigating and merely proposing an idea or sharing information can be critical in legal evaluation.

Beyond crime, instigations also appear in non-criminal contexts, meaning the initiation of processes or events, such as instigating reforms, policy changes, or research. In ethics and jurisprudence, questions arise about responsibility for the consequences of instigation and the degree of control an instigator has over the actions of others.