Trust in Risk Sharing: A Double-Edged Sword

S-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Studies
Year: 2024
Volume: 91
Issue: 3
Pages: 1448-1497

Authors (4)

Harold L Cole (not in RePEc) Dirk Krueger (University of Pennsylvania) George J Mailath (not in RePEc) Yena Park (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We analyse efficient risk-sharing arrangements when the value from deviating is determined endogenously by another risk-sharing arrangement. Coalitions form to insure against idiosyncratic income risk. Self-enforcing contracts for both the original coalition and any coalition formed (joined) after deviations rely on a belief in future cooperation which we term “trust”. We treat the contracting conditions of original and deviation coalitions symmetrically and show that higher trust tightens incentive constraints since it facilitates the formation of deviating coalitions. As a consequence, although trust facilitates the initial formation of coalitions, the extent of risk sharing in successfully formed coalitions is declining in the extent of trust and efficient allocations might feature resource burning or utility burning: trust is indeed a double-edged sword.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:restud:v:91:y:2024:i:3:p:1448-1497.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25