Normative Perception of Power Abuse
74 Pages Posted: 12 Mar 2019 Last revised: 30 Nov 2023
Date Written: November 29, 2023
Abstract
We study how the powerful perceive power abuse, and how negative experience related to it influences the appropriateness judgments of the powerless. We create an environment conducive to unfair exploitation in a repeated Public Goods game where one player (punisher) is given a further ability to costlessly subtract money from others (victims). Punishers who abuse their power rationalize their behavior by believing that free-riding, while forcing others to contribute, is not inappropriate. More importantly, victims of such abuse also start to believe that punishers’ free-riding and punishment are justifiable. Our findings demonstrate the capacity of humans to exculpate abusive behavior.
Keywords: power abuse, norms, public goods, punishment
JEL Classification: C91, C92, K42, H41, D73
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