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Tolerance and Compromise in Social Networks

Author

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  • Garance Genicot

Abstract

Individuals typically differ in their identities—the behaviors they deem ideal for themselves and for the members of their network—and in their tolerance for behaviors that deviate from their ideals. This paper studies compromise—that is, departures from one’s ideal point, to be accepted by others. I show that an individual’s compromise in equilibrium is bounded by the difference between her tolerance level and the lowest tolerance level in society. Relatively intolerant individuals, who serve as “bridges,” are critical for reciprocated compromise. When individuals with extreme identities are systematically less tolerant, societies polarize. In contrast, intolerance among moderates encourages cohesion.

Suggested Citation

  • Garance Genicot, 2022. "Tolerance and Compromise in Social Networks," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 130(1), pages 94-120.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/717041
    DOI: 10.1086/717041
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    Cited by:

    1. Bolletta, Ugo & Pin, Paolo, 2025. "Dynamic opinion updating with endogenous networks," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    2. de Vos, Wout & Grabisch, Michel & Rusinowska, Agnieszka, 2025. "When Social Networks Polarize : On the Number of Clusters in the Hegselmann-Krause Model," Other publications TiSEM 2db67b0b-ba8b-46e8-85af-1, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    3. Patrick Allmis & Luca Paolo Merlino, 2023. "A Model of Polarization on Social Media," Papers 2312.00457, arXiv.org, revised Feb 2026.
    4. Patrick Allmis, 2024. "Cohesion, Ideology, and Tolerance," Papers 2407.14045, arXiv.org.
    5. Anufriev, Mikhail & Borissov, Kirill & Pakhnin, Mikhail, 2023. "Dissonance minimization and conversation in social networks," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 167-191.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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