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Norms and Rationality in Electoral Participation and in the Rescue of Jews in WWII

Author

Listed:
  • Clemens Kroneberg

    (University of Mannheim, Germany, ckroneberg@uni-mannheim.de)

  • Meir Yaish

    (University of Haifa, Israel, meir.yaish@soc.haifa.ac.il)

  • Volker Stocké

    (University of Bamberg, Germany, volker.stocke@ppp.uni-bamberg.de)

Abstract

The rescue of Jews in WWII and electoral participation both constitute prominent puzzles for rational choice theories of human behavior and have given rise to lengthy debates about norms and rationality. To explain both phenomena, we apply the Model of Frame Selection . This theory of action provides an integrated account of norms and rationality, where cost-benefit calculus is replaced by unconditional norm conformity if actors hold strongly activated normative convictions. In support of this hypothesis, our empirical analyses show that strong feelings of social responsibility led actors to disregard the risks of helping. Likewise, intense norms of civic duty can make electoral participation independent of the incentive to express political preferences and the expectation to influence the election outcome. At the same time, the real strength of calculated incentives is revealed by identifying the actors who indeed seem to engage in a reflecting—calculating mode of decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Clemens Kroneberg & Meir Yaish & Volker Stocké, 2010. "Norms and Rationality in Electoral Participation and in the Rescue of Jews in WWII," Rationality and Society, , vol. 22(1), pages 3-36, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:22:y:2010:i:1:p:3-36
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463109355494
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Kimmo Eriksson & Pontus Strimling, 2014. "Spontaneous associations and label framing have similar effects in the public goods game," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 9(5), pages 360-372, September.
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    9. Dominik Becker & Klaus Birkelbach, 2011. "Teachers' Evaluations and the Definition of the Situation in the Classroom," Cologne Graduate School Working Paper Series 02-04, Cologne Graduate School in Management, Economics and Social Sciences.
    10. Stephan Rompf & Clemens Kroneberg & Thomas Schlösser, 2017. "Institutional trust and the provision of public goods: When do individual costs matter? The case of recycling," Rationality and Society, , vol. 29(2), pages 160-178, May.
    11. Marc Mölders & Robin D. Fink & Johannes Weyer, 2011. "Modeling Scientists as Agents. How Scientists Cope with the Challenges of the New Public Management of Science," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 14(4), pages 1-6.

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