期刊名称:Discussion Paper Series / Department of Economics, Monash University
出版年度:2008
卷号:1
出版社:Monash University
摘要:This paper presents a laboratory collective resistance (CR) game to study how
different forms of repeated interactions, with and without communication, can help coordinate
subordinates¡¯ collective resistance to a ¡°divide-and-conquer¡± transgression against their personal
interests. In the one-shot CR game, a first¨Cmover (the ¡°leader¡±) decides whether to transgress
against two responders. Successful transgression increases the payoff of the leader at the expense
of the victim(s) of transgression. The two responders then simultaneously decide whether to
challenge the leader. The subordinates face a coordination problem in that their challenge against
the leader¡¯s transgression will only succeed if both of them incur the cost to do so. The outcome
without transgression can occur in equilibrium with standard money-maximizing preferences
with repeated interactions, but this outcome is not an equilibrium with standard preferences when
adding non-binding subordinate ¡°cheap talk¡± communication in the one-shot game. Nevertheless,
we find that communication (in the one-shot game) is at least as effective as repetition (with no
communication) in reducing the transgression rate. Moreover, communication is better than
repetition in coordinating resistance, because it makes it easier for subordinates to identify others
who have social preferences and are willing to incur the cost to punish a violation of social
norms.