(Not) Everyone can be a winner — The role of payoff interdependence for redistribution
中文摘要
通常，一个人的成功是以牺牲他人为代价的。我们将这种个体收益相互依赖的零和环境与收益相互独立的环境进行对比。在一项实验室实验中，我们研究由此产生的不平等是否会被区别看待，以及这如何影响再分配。在不同处理组中，我们比较了旁观者对两名工人所得的再分配。如果工人并非在零和情境中竞争，平均再分配程度会下降。在一项具有代表性的调查中，我们复现了这一发现，并记录到相信世界是零和的个体支持更高水平的再分配，也更可能认为自己是民主党成员。• 本研究对比了零和环境与收益相互独立的环境。• 一项实验室实验采用工人—旁观者设计，考察再分配决策。• 在非零和情境中，工人收入的平均再分配程度下降。• 一项具有美国代表性的调查证实了实验室研究结果。
Abstract
Frequently, one person’s success comes at the expense of others. We contrast such zero-sum environments in which individuals’ payoffs are interdependent to those where payoffs are independent. In a laboratory experiment, we study whether the resulting inequality is perceived differently and how this affects redistribution. Across treatments, we compare a spectator’s redistribution of two workers’ earnings. If workers do not compete in a zero-sum setting, average redistribution decreases. In a representative survey, we replicate this finding and document that individuals who believe in a zero-sum world support higher levels of redistribution and are more likely to consider themselves a member of the Democratic party. • The study contrasts zero-sum environments with those where payoffs are independent. • A lab experiment examines redistribution decisions in a worker-spectator design. • In non-zero-sum settings, the average redistribution of earnings decreases. • A survey representative for the US confirms the laboratory findings.