Political Activists as Free-Riders: Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment

Anselm Hager (), Lukas Hensel, Johannes Hermle () and Christopher Roth
Additional contact information
Anselm Hager: Humboldt University
Johannes Hermle: University of California, Berkeley and IZA

No 158, ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series from University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany

Abstract: How does a citizen’s decision to participate in political activism depend on the partic-ipation 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 behavior. An additional survey among party supporters underscores the importance of free-riding motives and reveals that there is strong heterogeneity in motives underlying supporters’ behavioral responses.

Keywords: Political activism; natural field experiment; strategic behavior; beliefs; motives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D8 P16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 85 pages
Date: 2022-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm, nep-exp and nep-pol
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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https://www.econtribute.de/RePEc/ajk/ajkdps/ECONtribute_158_2022.pdf First version, 2022 (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Political Activists as Free Riders: Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment (2023)
Working Paper: Political Activists as Free-Riders: Evidence From a Natural Field Experiment (2022)
Working Paper: Political Activists as Free-Riders: Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment (2020)
Working Paper: Political Activists as Free-Riders: Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment (2019)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:158

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