In this paper we analyze the problem of whether and/or when to replace a leader (agent) when no monetary rewards are available, and it is the leader's competence rather than effort that is being evaluated. The only decisions that the leader takes over time are whether to undertake risky but...

We study collective decisions by time-discounting individuals choosing a common consumption stream. We show that with any heterogeneity in time preferences, utilitarian aggregation necessitates a present bias. In lab experiments three quarters of `social planners' exhibited present biases, and...

How can a principal (employer or voter) induce an agent (worker or politician) to choose the 'right' actions if risky actions reveal the agent's decision-making competence and only dismissal can be used as an incentive instrument? The principal wishes to replace incompetent agents, but...

How should policymakers disseminate information: by broadcasting it widely (e.g., via mass media), or letting word spread from a small number of initially informed “seed” individuals? While conventional wisdom suggests delivering information more widely is better, we show theoretically and...

How should information be disseminated to large populations? The options include broadcasts (e.g., via mass media) and informing a small number of "seeds" who then spread the message. While it may seem natural to try to reach the maximum number of people from the beginning, we show,...