Work

Pre-election communication in public good games with endogenous leaders

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In a Public Good experiment with an elected first-mover, we study how leadership candidates’ statements affect their election and followers’ contributions. Explicitly emphasizing efficiency and fairness boosts votes and contributions, but leader contributions remain the strongest predictor of follower behavior. • Leadership can solve social dilemmas, but its effectiveness varies. • We conduct a lab experiment on a sequential Public Good game with leadership vote. • Leadership candidates’ written statements affect their chances of being elected. • The leaders’ first-mover contributions have a large effect on follower contributions.

Source: Economics Letters

DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112317

Authors: Lisa Bruttel, Gerald Eisenkopf, Juri Nithammer

Institutions: University of Potsdam, University of Vechta

Language: English

Topic: Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,030

Funder: Volkswagen Foundation