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A Stepping Stone Approach to Norm Transitions

Author

Listed:
  • Selim Gulesci
  • Sam Jindani
  • Eliana La Ferrara
  • David Smerdon
  • Munshi Sulaiman
  • H. Peyton Young

Abstract

We propose a model to study when an intermediate action can serve as a “stepping stone” that enables the elimination of a harmful norm. While the intermediate action may facilitate the first “step”, it may also become a new norm. We derive intuitive conditions for stepping stones, which depend on the relative size of social penalties and intrinsic utility benefits. We propose an econometric approach to testing whether an intermediate action is a stepping stone, and apply it to original data on female genital cutting in Somalia. The analysis shows that the intermediate action may become the new norm.

Suggested Citation

  • Selim Gulesci & Sam Jindani & Eliana La Ferrara & David Smerdon & Munshi Sulaiman & H. Peyton Young, 2025. "A Stepping Stone Approach to Norm Transitions," NBER Working Papers 33734, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33734
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    Cited by:

    1. Giulia Buccione, 2026. "Can Culture Guide Policy? Religious Messaging and Adaptation to Water Scarcity in Jordan," Working Papers wp2026_2613, CEMFI.
    2. Jacob Moscona & Nathan Nunn & James A. Robinson, 2026. "Searching for Fish in Trees (緣木求魚)? Economic Development when Context Matters," NBER Working Papers 34810, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Gulesci, Selim & Leone, Marinella & Zafar, Sameen, 2026. "Domestic violence laws and social norms: Evidence from Pakistan," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    4. Eliana La Ferrara & Cheaheon Lim & Davide Viviano, 2026. "Estimating Social Norm Complementarities," Papers 2605.15405, arXiv.org.
    5. Montpetit, Sébastien, 2026. "Behind the Veil of Origin: Revisiting the Impacts of the French Headscarf Ban in Schools," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1610, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    6. Moscona, Jacob & Nunn, Nathan & Robinson, James A., 2026. "Searching for Fish in Trees (緣木求魚)? Economic Development when Context Matters," CEPR Discussion Papers 21124, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    7. Montpetit, Sébastien, 2026. "Behind the Veil of Origin: Revisiting the Impacts of the French Headscarf Ban in Schools," I4R Discussion Paper Series 293, The Institute for Replication (I4R).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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