Tolerance and Compromise in Social Networks

Garance Genicot

Working Papers from Georgetown University, Department of Economics

Abstract: Individuals typically differ in their identities---the behaviors that they deem ideal for themselves and for the members of their network---and in their tolerance for behaviors that deviate from their own ideals.This paper studies the possibility of compromise, i.e., departures from one's ideal points in order to be accepted by others. I show that an individual's compromise in equilibrium is bounded by the difference between her tolerance level and the lowest tolerance level in society. Heterogeneity in tolerance is necessary for compromise. Relatively intolerant individuals, who can serve as ``bridges'', are critical for the reciprocated compromise of more tolerant individuals. The joint distribution of tolerance levels and identities matters for the equilibrium patterns of compromise. When individuals with extreme identities are systematically less tolerant, societies become more polarized. In contrast, intolerance among moderates encourages cohesion. Classification-D85, L14, O12, Z13

Keywords: Compromise; Social Networks; Social Capital; Tolerance; Homophily; Identity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35
Date: 2021-06-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gth, nep-soc and nep-ure
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Related works:
Journal Article: Tolerance and Compromise in Social Networks (2022)
Working Paper: Tolerance and Compromise in Social Networks (2019)
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