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Context and preferences for equality in the spectator game

Author

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  • Ingrid Ovidia Telle

    (University of Bergen)

  • Sigve Tjøtta

    (University of Bergen)

Abstract

Spectator games have emerged as a tool for measuring equality preferences. To measure equality preferences, the spectators are matched with a pair of stakeholders who have been allocated unequal endowments. The spectators decide how much to redistribute from one stakeholder’s endowment to the other one. We conducted a spectator experiment in which we fixed the spectators’ redistribution choice set and varied context of the “no distribution” choice. We found a strong effect of the context variation. The spectators who chose not to redistribute the stakeholders’ endowments increased from 12.3 to 38.0% in the treatment, making “no redistribution” more salient.

Suggested Citation

  • Ingrid Ovidia Telle & Sigve Tjøtta, 2023. "Context and preferences for equality in the spectator game," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 9(2), pages 227-238, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jesaex:v:9:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s40881-023-00140-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s40881-023-00140-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Spectator game; Measurement of inequality; Context;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General

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