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On Modeling Voluntary Contributions to Public Goods

Author

Listed:
  • James C. Cox
  • Vjollca Sadiraj

    (Georgia State University, Atlanta)

Abstract

This article addresses four “stylized facts†that summarize data from experimental studies of voluntary contributions to the provision of public goods. Theoretical propositions and testable hypotheses for voluntary contributions are derived from two models of social preferences, the inequity aversion model and the egocentric other-regarding preferences model. The authors find that the egocentric other-regarding preferences model with classical regularity properties can better account for the stylized facts than the inequity aversion model with nonclassical properties.

Suggested Citation

  • James C. Cox & Vjollca Sadiraj, 2007. "On Modeling Voluntary Contributions to Public Goods," Public Finance Review, , vol. 35(2), pages 311-332, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:35:y:2007:i:2:p:311-332
    DOI: 10.1177/1091142106295756
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    voluntary contributions; public goods; social preferences; experiments;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C70 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - General
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods

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