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

Anselm Hager, Lukas Hensel, Johannes Hermle and Christopher Roth

No 8459, CESifo Working Paper Series from CESifo

Abstract: How does a citizen’s decision to participate in political activism depend on the participation of others? We conduct a nation-wide 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 behaviour; beliefs; motives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D80 P16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm, nep-exp and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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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 (2022)
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:ces:ceswps:_8459

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