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Media type:
E-Article
Title:
Political Activists as Free Riders: Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment
Contributor:
Hager, Anselm;
Hensel, Lukas;
Hermle, Johannes;
Roth, Christopher
Published:
Oxford University Press (OUP), 2023
Published in:
The Economic Journal, 133 (2023) 653, Seite 2068-2084
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1093/ej/uead020
ISSN:
0013-0133;
1468-0297
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title>
<jats:p>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.</jats:p>