The evolution of metanorms: quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Michael J. Prietula () and
Daniel Conway ()
Additional contact information
Michael J. Prietula: Emory University
Daniel Conway: Augustana College
Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, 2009, vol. 15, issue 3, No 1, 147-168
Abstract:
Abstract How are norms maintained? Axelrod (in Am. Political Sci. Rev. 80(4): 1095–1111, 1986) used an evolutionary computational model to proffer a solution: the metanorm (norm to enforce norm enforcement). Although often discussed, this model has neither been sufficiently replicated nor explored. In this paper we replicate and extend that model. Results were generally supportive of the original. Speculations in the original regarding the requirement to link sanctions underlying the metanorm structure were not supported, as differentiating punishment likelihoods against defectors from punishment likelihoods against shirkers (non-enforcers of the norm against defection) lead to more efficient and effective sanctioning structures that allowed norm emergence. Replications of the Groups game (two groups differing in numbers and power) generally supported the original reports, but true norms against defection emerged only if sanctioning structures were differentiated, resulting in the Strong group developing a dominant norm against others defecting (Metavengeance). That is, when groups are involved with differential power, Metanorms fail unless a more sophisticated sanctioning structure (Metavengeance) is supported.
Keywords: Norms; Metanorms; Evolutionary model; Cultural algorithm; Simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)
Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10588-009-9056-4 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.
Export reference: BibTeX
RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan)
HTML/Text
Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:comaot:v:15:y:2009:i:3:d:10.1007_s10588-009-9056-4
Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/journal/10588
DOI: 10.1007/s10588-009-9056-4
Access Statistics for this article
Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory is currently edited by Terrill Frantz and Kathleen Carley
More articles in Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().