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Overcoming Mistrust

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  • Andrew Kydd

Abstract

Trust is often held to promote cooperation, but mistrust can hinder it. This article looks at how trust can be built through strategic interaction. I formalize the common intuition that trust needs to be built through small initial cooperative gestures. These gestures are shown to overcome mistrust and facilitate cooperation in an n -person social dilemma game. The model lends support to the idea that trust can be a product of rational strategic interaction. I then extend the result in a related model that shows how trust can arise between nonaltruistic actors in iterated settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Kydd, 2000. "Overcoming Mistrust," Rationality and Society, , vol. 12(4), pages 397-424, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:12:y:2000:i:4:p:397-424
    DOI: 10.1177/104346300012004003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    cooperation; reassurance; trust;
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