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Interest-Based Negotiation over Natural Resources: Experimental Evidence from Liberia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We experimentally evaluate whether an interest-based negotiation training for community leaders in Liberia improves their ability to strike beneficial deals related to their land and forests. We use environmental assessments, lab-in-the-field, and surveys and find that trainees are 27% more likely to reach a beneficial agreement, and it raises the total surplus earned by $2.74 USD, which is a 42% increase. Our exploration of mechanisms indicates that the training increases trainees’ capacity to identify valuable deals, but does not improve their appraisal of their outside option. We find a reduction (0.27 standard deviations) in the exploitation of communal forestland in treated communities.

Source: Journal of the European Economic Association

DOI: 10.1093/jeea/jvaf047

Authors: Darin Christensen, Alexandra C Hartman, Cyrus Samii, Alessandro Toppeta

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, University College London, New York University, Stockholm University

Language: English

Topic: Conflict Management and Negotiation

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,668