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Groups Are More Libertarian than Individuals

Author

Listed:
  • Philipp Doerrenberg
  • Christoph Feldhaus
  • Felix Kölle
  • Axel Ockenfels

Abstract

Using a series of controlled laboratory experiments involving decisions to intervene in others’ choice opportunities; we find that groups grant more autonomy to others than individuals. This finding is robust across two decision contexts, one involving individual decision-making (Internality) and one involving social decision-making (Externality). Analyses of the group chat logs and two additional experiments show that participants tend to shy away from proposing interventions in social contexts, even when they intervene individually. We conclude that interventions differ systematically between individual and social contexts, and that transferring decision-making power to groups can lead to a “liberal shift”.

Suggested Citation

  • Philipp Doerrenberg & Christoph Feldhaus & Felix Kölle & Axel Ockenfels, 2024. "Groups Are More Libertarian than Individuals," CESifo Working Paper Series 11575, CESifo.
  • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11575
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Drew Fudenberg & David K. Levine & Zacharias Maniadis, 2012. "On the Robustness of Anchoring Effects in WTP and WTA Experiments," American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 4(2), pages 131-145, May.
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    6. Kölle, Felix & Kübler, Dorothea & Ockenfels, Axel, 2024. "Impartial policymakers prefer to impose carbon pricing to capping, especially when combined with offsets," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    teams; decision making; autonomy; interventions; experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics

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