Social Background, Cooperative Behavior, and Norm Enforcement

Studies have shown differences in cooperative behavior across countries and in the use of (and reaction to) a norm enforcement mechanism in cross-cultural studies.

The authors present data that prove that stark differences in both dimensions can exist even within the same town. They created a unique data set, based on one-shot public goods experiments in South Africa. Most of the group differences can be explained by variables for social capital and social environment, such as trust or household violence.

EfD Authors

Professor Peter Martinsson Research Fellow
Assoc. Professor Martine Visser Research fellow

Keywords

Files

Link to pdf 317.8 kB

Centers

eeu sweden
south africa

Type of publication

EfD Discussion paper

Reference

Kocher, Martin, Peter Martinsson, and Martine Visser (2009), "Social Background, Cooperative Behavior, and Norm Enforcement", EfD Discussion Paper 09-22, Environment for Development Initiative and Resources for the Future, Washington DC, October 2009.

Environment for Development

Environment for Development