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What Do You Want Me To Say?

Author

Listed:
  • Chaim Fershtman

    (Tel Aviv University)

  • Uzi Segal

    (Boston College)

Abstract

We analyze societies where people express their opinions with respect to a single issue. These opinions also affect social connections. People enjoy being connected to others, but only with those whose opinions they deem acceptable. In such environments people behave strategically to optimize their social connections and therefore their expressed opinions do not necessarily represent their true ones. Dis- tributions of expressed opinions thus depend on the social structure. Changes in the views of some people or changes in the relative size of different groups may trigger changes in the map of social connections and in the distribution of expressed opinions.

Suggested Citation

  • Chaim Fershtman & Uzi Segal, 2026. "What Do You Want Me To Say?," Boston College Working Papers in Economics 1111, Boston College Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:boc:bocoec:1111
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Samuelson, Larry, 2001. "Introduction to the Evolution of Preferences," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 225-230, April.
    2. Bernheim, B Douglas, 1994. "A Theory of Conformity," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 102(5), pages 841-877, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation

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