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Discrete Public Goods: Contribution Levels and Learning as Outcomes of an Evolutionary Game

Author

Listed:
  • Clemens, Christiane

    (University of Hannover)

  • Thomas Reichmann

Abstract

This paper examines the learning dynamics of boundedly rational agents, who are asked to contribute to a discrete public good. In an incomplete information setting, we discuss contribution games and subscription games. The theoretical results on myopic best response dynamics implying striking differences between strategies played in the two games are confirmed by simulations, where the learning process is modeled by an Evolutionary Algorithm. We show that the contribution game even aggravates the selective pressure leading towards the non-contributing equilibrium, thereby supporting results from laboratory experiments. In contrast to this, the subscription game removes the 'fear incentive', implying a higher percentage of successful provisions over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Clemens, Christiane & Thomas Reichmann, 2003. "Discrete Public Goods: Contribution Levels and Learning as Outcomes of an Evolutionary Game," Royal Economic Society Annual Conference 2003 45, Royal Economic Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecj:ac2003:45
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    Cited by:

    1. An, Yonghong & Hu, Yingyao & Liu, Pengfei, 2018. "Estimating heterogeneous contributing strategies in threshold public goods provision: A structural analysis," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 124-146.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    bounded rationality; evolutionary games; evolutionary algorithms; learning; public goods;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C6 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods

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