Identity-driven cooperation versus competition

Snower, D. J. and Bosworth, S. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8978-9516 (2016) Identity-driven cooperation versus competition. American Economic Review, 106 (5). pp. 420-424. ISSN 0002-8282 doi: 10.1257/aer.p20161041

Abstract/Summary

This paper seeks to extend the domain of identity economics by exploring motivational foundations of in-group cooperation and out-group competition. On this basis, we explore the reflexive interaction between individual economic decisions and social identities in response to technological change in market economies. Our analysis explores how technological change falling on marketable goods and services, rather than non-market caring relationships, leads to a restructuring of identities, which increases the scope of individualism and promotes positional competition at the expense of caring activities. Since positional competition generates negative externalities while caring activities create positive ones, these developments have important welfare implications.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/72598
Identification Number/DOI	10.1257/aer.p20161041
Refereed	No
Divisions	No Reading authors. Back catalogue items
Publisher	American Economic Association
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