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Ex Interim Voting in Public Good Provision

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  • Sven Fischer

    (Max Planck Institute of Economics, Jena)

  • Andreas Nicklisch

    (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods, Bonn)

Abstract

We report the results of an experimental study that compares voting mechanisms in the provision of public goods. Subjects can freely decide how much they want to contribute. Whether the public good is finally provided is decided by a referendum under full information about all contributions. If provision is rejected, contributions are reduced by a fee and reimbursed. We compare unanimity with majority voting and both to the baseline of cheap talk. Contributions are highest under unanimity. Yet, results concerning overall efficiency are mixed. When provision occurs, only unanimity enhances efficiency. Overall, however, unanimity leads to too many rejections.

Suggested Citation

  • Sven Fischer & Andreas Nicklisch, 2006. "Ex Interim Voting in Public Good Provision," Discussion Paper Series of the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods 2006_23, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods.
    • Handle: RePEc:mpg:wpaper:2006_23
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sven Fischer & Andreas Nicklisch, 2006. "Ex Interim Voting in Public Good Provision," Papers on Strategic Interaction 2006-13, Max Planck Institute of Economics, Strategic Interaction Group.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Experimental economics; learning; minimal social situation; myopia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations

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