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Vanity in Politics: A Problem?

Author

Listed:
  • Guido Suurmond

    (University of Leiden)

  • Otto H. Swank

    (Faculty of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Bauke Visser

    (Faculty of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Abstract

Can vanity do any good? It may seem obvious to answer this question in the negative, as economists have shown how reputational concerns lead agents e.g. to ignore valuable information, to herd, and to become overly risk averse. We explore how proud agents may be a social blessing. An agent may exert effort to become informed about the uncertain benefits of aproject. A smart agent's efforts make him better informed; a dumb agent's efforts are to no avail. If an agent does not know his type, pride is socially beneficial. If an agent knows his type, a dumb agent takes inefficient, unconventional decisions to mimick a smart agent. The latter exerts more effort in order not to be mistaken for a dumb. This holds whether or not project rejection is a save haven for the dumb.

Suggested Citation

  • Guido Suurmond & Otto H. Swank & Bauke Visser, 2002. "Vanity in Politics: A Problem?," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 02-123/1, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20020123
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    File URL: https://papers.tinbergen.nl/02123.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Reputation; Information Collection;

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations

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