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Culture, Circles, And Commercials

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  • Michael Suk-Young Chwe

Abstract

This paper applies a game theoretic argument, that common knowledge is necessary for `solving' coordination problems, to a variety of cultural practices. This argument helps in understanding how cultural practices such as mass ceremonies constitute power, how talking in inward-facing circles helps coordination, and why `social' goods tend to be advertised on popular and expensive television shows. The main conclusion is that cultural practices, usually understood in terms of `meaning' or `content', must also be understood in terms of `publicity', or more precisely common knowledge generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Suk-Young Chwe, 1998. "Culture, Circles, And Commercials," Rationality and Society, , vol. 10(1), pages 47-75, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:10:y:1998:i:1:p:47-75
    DOI: 10.1177/104346398010001002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Francisco José León, 2011. "Peer loyalty and quota restriction as social norms: A case study of their emergence," Rationality and Society, , vol. 23(1), pages 75-115, February.
    2. C. Robert Clark & Samuel Clark & Mattias K. Polborn, 2006. "Coordination and Status Influence," Rationality and Society, , vol. 18(3), pages 367-391, August.
    3. Chen, Xi, 2011. "Pure Entertainment or Social Harmony? Understanding Private Returns to Social Spending on Household Ceremonies in China," 2011 Annual Meeting, February 5-8, 2011, Corpus Christi, Texas 98874, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    4. Silvia Sonderegger, 2010. "Centralized Or Decentralized Information: Which Is Better For Providing Incentives?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 48(2), pages 290-305, April.
    5. David Skarbek & Peng Wang, 2015. "Criminal rituals," Global Crime, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(4), pages 288-305, October.
    6. Yolande Pottie-Sherman & Daniel Hiebert, 2015. "Authenticity with a bang: Exploring suburban culture and migration through the new phenomenon of the Richmond Night Market," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 52(3), pages 538-554, February.
    7. Eric H. Rambo, 1999. "Symbolic Interests And Meaningful Purposes," Rationality and Society, , vol. 11(3), pages 317-342, August.
    8. Chwe, Michael Suk-Young, 1999. "The Reeded Edge and the Phillips Curve: Money Neutrality, Common Knowledge, and Subjective Beliefs," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 87(1), pages 49-71, July.
    9. Yolal, Medet & Gursoy, Dogan & Uysal, Muzaffer & Kim, Hyelin (Lina) & Karacaoğlu, Sıla, 2016. "Impacts of festivals and events on residents’ well-being," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1-18.
    10. Berthon, Pierre & Pitt, Leyland F. & Campbell, Colin, 2009. "Does brand meaning exist in similarity or singularity?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 62(3), pages 356-361, March.
    11. Buntaine, Mark T. & Daniels, Brigham & Devlin, Colleen, 2018. "Can information outreach increase participation in community-driven development? A field experiment near Bwindi National Park, Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 407-421.
    12. Wilson Perez, 2004. "Divide and Conquer: Noisy Communication in Networks, Power, and Wealth Distribution," Working Papers 2004.33, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.

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