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Cooperation in an Overlapping Generations Experiment

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Author Info
Theo Offerman () (University of Amsterdam)
Jan Potters and Harry A.A. Verbon (Tilburg University)

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Abstract

Recent theoretical work shows that folk theorems can be developed for infinite overlapping generations games. Cooperation in such games can be sustained as a Nash equilibrium. Besides the efficient cooperative equilibrium there is also the inefficient non-cooperative equilibrium. This paper investigates experimentally whether cooperation actually occurs in a simple overlapping generations game. Subjects both play the game and formulate full strategies. In our base-line treatment subjects fail to exploit the intertemporal structure of the game. When we provide subjects with a recommendation to play a (subgame perfect) grim trigger strategy, a substantial part of the population develops trigger-like strategies. However, a remaining group of unconditional defectors prevents the cooperative outcome to evolve.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Tinbergen Institute in its series Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers with number 99-019/1.

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Date of creation: 09 Mar 1999
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Handle: RePEc:dgr:uvatin:19990019

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Web page: http://www.tinbergen.nl/

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Related research
Keywords: overlapping generations cooperation trigger strategies experiments

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
D90 - Microeconomics - - Intertemporal Choice and Growth - - - General

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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
  1. Brandts Jordi & Macleod W. Bentley, 1995. "Equilibrium Selection in Experimental Games with Recommended Play," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 11(1), pages 36-63, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  2. Smith, Lones, 1992. "Folk theorems in overlapping generations games," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 4(3), pages 426-449, July. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. Salant, David J., 1991. "A repeated game with finitely lived overlapping generations of players," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 3(2), pages 244-259, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  4. Sandler, Todd, 1982. "A Theory of Intergenerational Clubs," Economic Inquiry, Oxford University Press, vol. 20(2), pages 191-208, April.
  5. Abbink, Klaus, and Abdolkarim Sadrieh, 1995. "RatImage - research Assistance Toolbox for Computer-Aided Human Behavior Experiments," Discussion Paper Serie B 325, University of Bonn, Germany.
  6. Bhaskar, V., 1994. "Informational Constraints and the Overlapping Generations Model: Folk and Anti-Folk Theorems," Papers 9485, Tilburg - Center for Economic Research.
    Other versions:
  7. Marimon, Ramon & Sunder, Shyam, 1993. "Indeterminacy of Equilibria in a Hyperinflationary World: Experimental Evidence," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 61(5), pages 1073-107, September. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  8. David J. Salant, 1995. "Behind the Revolving Door: A New View of Public Utility Regulation," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 26(3), pages 362-377, Autumn. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  9. Cadsby, Charles Bram & Frank, Murray, 1991. "Experimental Tests of Ricardian Equivalence," Economic Inquiry, Oxford University Press, vol. 29(4), pages 645-64, October.
  10. van der Heijden, E. C. M. & Nelissen, J. H. M. & Potters, J. J. M. & Verbon, H. A. A., 1998. "Transfers and the effect of monitoring in an overlapping-generations experiment," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(7), pages 1363-1391, July. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  11. Lim, Suk S & Prescott, Edward C & Sunder, Shyam, 1994. "Stationary Solution to the Overlapping Generations Model of Fiat Money: Experimental Evidence," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 255-77.
  12. John, A & Pecchenino, R, 1994. "An Overlapping Generations Model of Growth and the Environment," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 104(427), pages 1393-1410, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  13. Cremer, Jacques, 1986. "Cooperation in Ongoing Organizations," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, vol. 101(1), pages 33-49, February. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Gueth, W. & Sutter, M. & Verbon, H. & Weck-Hannemann, H., 2001. "Family versus public solidarity : theory and experiment," Discussion Paper 86, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
  2. Sonnemans, J. & Hommes, C.H. & Tuinstra, J. & van de Velden, H., 1999. "The Instability of a Heterogeneous Cobweb economy: a Strategy Experiment on Expectation Formation," CeNDEF Working Papers 99-06, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Center for Nonlinear Dynamics in Economics and Finance. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  3. Vyrastekova, Jana & Onderstal, Sander, 2005. "The trust game behind the veil of ignorance : a note on gender differences," Discussion Paper 96, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
  4. Vyrastekova, Jana & Garikipati, Supriya, 2005. "Beliefs and trust : an experiment," Discussion Paper 88, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
  5. Sadrieh, A., 2003. "Equity versus warm glow in intergenerational giving," Discussion Paper 35, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
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