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Comparing the Effectiveness of Regulation and Pro-Social Emotions to Enhance Cooperation: Experimental Evidence from Fishing Communities in Colombia

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Claudia Lopez

    (School of Environmental and Rural Studies, Bogota Colombia)

  • James J. Murphy

    (Department of Economics, University of Alaska, Anchorage)

  • John M. Spraggon
  • John K. Stranlund

    (Department of Resource Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

Abstract

This paper presents the results from a series of framed field experiments conducted in fishing communities off the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The goal is to investigate the relative effectiveness of exogenous regulatory pressure and pro-social emotions in promoting cooperative behavior in a public goods context. The random public revelation of an individual’s contribution and its consequences for the rest of the group leads to significantly higher public good contributions and social welfare than regulatory pressure, even under regulations that are designed to motivate fully efficient contributions.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Claudia Lopez & James J. Murphy & John M. Spraggon & John K. Stranlund, 2009. "Comparing the Effectiveness of Regulation and Pro-Social Emotions to Enhance Cooperation: Experimental Evidence from Fishing Communities in Colombia," Working Papers 2009-5, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Resource Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:dre:wpaper:2009-5
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    public goods; field experiments; pro-social emotions; social dilemma; regulation; enforcement.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • Q20 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - General
    • Q28 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy

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