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Zero-Sum Environments, the Evolution of Effort-Suppressing Beliefs, and Economic Development

Author

Listed:
  • Augustin Bergeron
  • Jean-Paul Carvalho
  • Joseph Henrich
  • Nathan Nunn
  • Jonathan L. Weigel

Abstract

We study the evolution of belief systems that suppress productive effort, such as beliefs about envy, witchcraft, the importance of luck for success, or disdain for competitive effort. In our framework, demotivating beliefs evolve when interactions are zero-sum, i.e., where one person’s gain comes at others’ expense. They improve material welfare but reduce subjective well-being. The model delivers testable predictions about the relationship between the degree of zero-sumness, demotivating beliefs, material welfare, subjective well-being, and long-run economic development. We find that the predictions are supported by data from two samples in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as global evidence from the World Values Survey and the European Values Study.

Suggested Citation

  • Augustin Bergeron & Jean-Paul Carvalho & Joseph Henrich & Nathan Nunn & Jonathan L. Weigel, 2023. "Zero-Sum Environments, the Evolution of Effort-Suppressing Beliefs, and Economic Development," NBER Working Papers 31663, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31663
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    Cited by:

    1. Giampaolo Bonomi, 2024. "Divide and Diverge: Polarization Incentives," Papers 2405.20564, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2025.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N10 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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