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Ideology and the Direction of Causation in the Acquisition and Maintenance of Shared Belief Systems

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  • Michael C. Munger

Abstract

Preferences and beliefs are more widely and systematically shared than might be predicted by a subjective, idiosyncratic view arising out of neoclassical economics. Two works were published twenty five years ago on just this question, contesting conceptions of belief acquisition: Denzau and North (1994) and Hinich and Munger (1994). Denzau and North argued that beliefs are simplified representations of reality that provide conventional means of interpreting the world around us; Hinich and Munger agreed. But Denzau and North argued that beliefs were essentially self‐perpetuating, and not subject to optimizing revision based on feedback, while Hinich and Munger followed the orthodox Downsian notion of a heuristic that economizes (in equilibrium) on the cost of becoming informed about politics. The big difference is that the Hume‐Denzau‐North conception follows the “Folk Theorem,” making no claim about the optimality of the belief systems that a society comes to share.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael C. Munger, 2020. "Ideology and the Direction of Causation in the Acquisition and Maintenance of Shared Belief Systems," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(3), pages 392-409, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:73:y:2020:i:3:p:392-409
    DOI: 10.1111/kykl.12243
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roger B. Myerson, 2009. "Learning from Schelling's Strategy of Conflict," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 47(4), pages 1109-1125, December.
    2. Ravi K. Roy & Arthur T. Denzau, 2020. "Shared Mental Models: Insights and Perspectives on Ideologies and Institutions," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(3), pages 323-340, August.
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    5. Arthur T. Denzau & Douglass C. North, 1994. "Shared Mental Models: Ideologies and Institutions," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(1), pages 3-31, February.
    6. Elinor Ostrom, 2000. "Collective Action and the Evolution of Social Norms," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(3), pages 137-158, Summer.
    7. Anthony Downs, 1957. "An Economic Theory of Political Action in a Democracy," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 65(2), pages 135-135.
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