On a mechanism that improves efficiency and reduces inequality in voluntary contribution games

成果类型:
Article
署名作者:
Falvey, Rod; Lane, Tom; Luckraz, Shravan
署名单位:
Bond University; Newcastle University - UK; University of Nottingham Ningbo China
刊物名称:
GAMES AND ECONOMIC BEHAVIOR
ISSN/ISSBN:
0899-8256
DOI:
10.1016/j.geb.2025.01.011
发表日期:
2025
页码:
518-536
关键词:
摘要:
We consider the class of linear voluntary contribution games under the general assumption of heterogeneous endowments. In this context, we generalize the Galbraith Mechanism (GM) and assess its performance relative to a fixed equal sharing allocation in both theory and experiments. Three main empirical results emerge. First, the GM raises average contributions significantly above those under an equal-shares allocation. Second, the GM simultaneously reduces income inequality as it improves efficiency. Third, a player's contribution and allocation behavior is sensitive to her position in the endowment distribution. In all their decision-making, agents consistently place greater emphasis on absolute contribution levels when they are rich, and on contribution ratios (contributions relative to endowments) when they are poor.