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Inducing fertility change : A game-theoretic approach

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  • Oded Stark

    (Harvard University
    Bar-Ilan University)

Abstract

This paper explores the inducement of fertility change in situations where actual fertility levels do not coincide with socially optimal fertility levels. The motivating example is that of higher than socially optimal levels of fertility in LDCs, but the approach is equally applicable to contexts of lower than socially optimal levels of fertility in DCs. The paper proposes a prisoner's dilemma characterization of higher than socially optimal levels of fertility in LDCs and offers a resolution of the dilemma, and hence a possible route to fertility-reduction policies, through the generation of mutual altruism. The prisoner's dilemma characterization hinges on the assumption that there is some social sharing of the costs associated with a given level of fertility but less or none with respect to the benefits. The mutual altruism solution depends on representing an agent's preferences as a specific convex combination of his/her and the other agent's original utilities. The unique critical level of such altruism is identified and hence a stopping rule is provided. Several examples from the array of extensions and possible implications of this approach are discussed briefly.

Suggested Citation

  • Oded Stark, 1986. "Inducing fertility change : A game-theoretic approach," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 2(1), pages 31-42, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:2:y:1986:i:1:d:10.1007_bf01796879
    DOI: 10.1007/BF01796879
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Neher, Philip A, 1971. "Peasants, Procreation, and Pensions," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 61(3), pages 380-389, June.
    2. Akerlof, George A, 1983. "Loyalty Filters," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 73(1), pages 54-63, March.
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