Political Activists as Free Riders: Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Hager, Anselm; Hensel, Lukas; Hermle, Johannes; Roth, Christopher
• 署名单位: Humboldt University of Berlin; Peking University; University of California System; University of California Berkeley; IZA Institute Labor Economics; University of Cologne
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1093/ej/uead020
• 发表日期: 2023
• 页码: 2068-2084
• 关键词: collective action; voter turnout; public-goods; PARTICIPATION; PUNISHMENT; protests

摘要

How does a citizen's decision to participate in political activism depend on the participation of others? We conduct a nationwide natural field experiment in collaboration with a major European party during a recent national election. In a party survey, we randomly provide canvassers with true information about the canvassing intentions of their peers. When learning that more peers participate in canvassing than previously believed, canvassers significantly reduce both their canvassing intentions and behaviour. An additional survey among party supporters underscores the importance of free-riding motives and reveals that there is strong heterogeneity in motives underlying supporters' behavioural responses.