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The Acceptability of Accountability

Author

Listed:
  • John Bone

    (University of York)

  • Paolo Crosetto

    (INRAE, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment)

  • John Hey

    (University of York)

  • Carmen Pasca

    (CMH - International Hospitality Management School)

Abstract

This paper reports on an experimental test of the acceptability of the Principle of Accountability. This is a principle of social justice, and states, “individuals should be rewarded for factors under their control […], but not for factors outside their control” (Cappelen and Tungodden (2009)). We specifically ask for acceptability of the principle underlying it, rather than for particular rewards in particular instances. We carry out the test with both an Internal and an External Dictator, conducting a laboratory experiment with a total of 240 subjects. We find that there is broad, but not overwhelming support for the Principle. When the Principle is internally inconsistent no clear preference emerges, which is not surprising.

Suggested Citation

  • John Bone & Paolo Crosetto & John Hey & Carmen Pasca, 2021. "The Acceptability of Accountability," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 476-501, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:copoec:v:32:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s10602-021-09331-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10602-021-09331-z
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