Abstract
While moral concerns can motivate voluntary public good provision, individuals holding different ethical views may disagree on the fair distribution of contributions. We assume that ethical views are socially learnt, but reluctantly so: one is less prone to adopt a view if it implies higher fair contributions for oneself. Furthermore, since egalitarians demand more from high‐income individuals, the rich avoid egalitarian peers, while the poor seek them. This yields an extremely segregated and polarized long‐run equilibrium with minimal voluntary public good provision. Leaving responsibility for public good provision to a democratically elected government may prevent such segregation and polarization processes.
The seminar will be held in room 1249 (12th floor) at Eilert Sundts Hus. The address is Moltke Moes vei 31.