Far from free: How social proximity affects paternalism

Katharina Brütt and Eve Ernst
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Katharina Brütt: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Eve Ernst: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

No 25-068/I, Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers from Tinbergen Institute

Abstract: Paternalistic policies are pervasive, yet little is known about how relationships between decision-makers and targets shape them. This paper examines how social proximity -- the degree to which individuals share identity-defining traits – influences paternalistic interventions. In an experiment with a representative U.S. sample, we manipulate proximity and distinguish between preference-responsive paternalism, reflecting one’s own preferences, and belief-responsive paternalism, reflecting beliefs about others’ preferences. Social proximity leaves the overall frequency of restrictions unchanged but shifts their driver: low proximity fosters preference-responsive paternalism, while high proximity promotes belief-responsive paternalism. Non-religious and independents restrict least; Christians and Republicans restrict more dissimilar others.

Keywords: Paternalism; Social identity; Social proximity; Experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 D12 D15 D91 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-12-05
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tin:wpaper:20250068

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