A Theory of Fairness, Competition, and Cooperation

S-Tier
Journal: Quarterly Journal of Economics
Year: 1999
Volume: 114
Issue: 3
Pages: 817-868

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

There is strong evidence that people exploit their bargaining power in competitive markets but not in bilateral bargaining situations. There is also strong evidence that people exploit free-riding opportunities in voluntary cooperation games. Yet, when they are given the opportunity to punish free riders, stable cooperation is maintained, although punishment is costly for those who punish. This paper asks whether there is a simple common principle that can explain this puzzling evidence. We show that if some people care about equity the puzzles can be resolved. It turns out that the economic environment determines whether the fair types or the selfish types dominate equilibrium behavior.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:qjecon:v:114:y:1999:i:3:p:817-868.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25