Appropriating the commons : a theoretical explanation

Armin Falk; Ernst Fehr; Urs Fischbacher

In this paper we show that a simple model of fairness preferences explains major experimental regularities of common pool resource (CPR) experiments. The evidence indicates that in standard CPR games without communication and without sanctioning possibilities inefficient excess appropriation is the rule. However, when communication or informal sanctions are available appropriation behavior is more efficient. Our analysis shows that these regularities arise naturally when a fraction of the subjects exhibits reciprocal preferences.

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Year of publication:	2001
Authors:	Falk, Armin ; Fehr, Ernst ; Fischbacher, Urs
Publisher:	München : CESifo
Subject:	Common pool resources \| experiments \| fairness \| reciprocity \| game theory \| fairness models \| Spieltheorie \| Game theory \| Gerechtigkeit \| Justice \| Gemeingüter \| Commons \| Experiment \| Kommunikation \| Communication \| Öffentliche Güter \| Public goods \| Altruismus \| Altruism