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The Impact of Group Size on Giving Versus Demand for Redistribution

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  • Johanna Mollerstrom
  • Avner Strulov-Shlain
  • Dmitry Taubinsky

Abstract

We report the results of an online experiment studying preferences for giving and preferences for group-wide redistribution in small (4-person) and large (200-person) groups. We find that the desire to engage in voluntary giving decreases significantly with group size. However, voting for group-wide redistribution is precisely estimated to not depend on group size. Moreover, people’s perception of the size of their reference group is malleable, and affects their desire to give. These results suggest that government programs, such as progressive tax-and-transfer systems, can help satisfy other-regarding preferences for redistribution in a way that creating opportunities for voluntary giving do not.

Suggested Citation

  • Johanna Mollerstrom & Avner Strulov-Shlain & Dmitry Taubinsky, 2021. "The Impact of Group Size on Giving Versus Demand for Redistribution," NBER Working Papers 29375, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29375
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    Cited by:

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    2. Riccardo Bruni & Alessandro Gioffré & Maria Marino, 2025. "In‐group bias in preferences for redistribution: a survey experiment in Italy," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 92(367), pages 1009-1080, July.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics

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