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Social connections and cultural heterogeneity

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  • Jiabin Wu

    (University of Oregon)

Abstract

This paper proposes an evolutionary model in which the assortativity level of matching is endogenously determined. We consider a population consisting of two cultural groups. Each group has a leader who aims to maximize the group’s average fitness by exerting costly effort to enhance either within-group or cross-group social connections. Within-group social connections increase the assortativity level of matching and promote segregation, while cross-group social connections decrease the assortativity level of matching and encourage integration. We find that the endogenous process by which the assortativity level is determined can generate an intermediate level of assortativity that is neither complete segregation nor maximal integration and lead to a rich set of cultural phenomena including cultural heterogeneity, which cannot be accounted for in many cases if the assortativity level is given exogenously.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiabin Wu, 2019. "Social connections and cultural heterogeneity," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 779-798, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joevec:v:29:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s00191-018-0597-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s00191-018-0597-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Verdier, Thierry & Zenou, Yves, 2018. "Cultural leader and the dynamics of assimilation," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 374-414.
    2. Bilancini, Ennio & Boncinelli, Leonardo & Wu, Jiabin, 2018. "The interplay of cultural intolerance and action-assortativity for the emergence of cooperation and homophily," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 1-18.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social connections; Cultural heterogeneity; Assortative matching; Cultural leaders; Evolutionary game theory;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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