WIDER Seminar Series - Joseph Vecci on religion, leadership, and coordination

At the seminar on 27 September 2017, Joseph Vecci will present experimental findings on religion, leadership, and coordination. 

Abstract – Religion, leadership, and coordination: Evidence from a lab experiment in the field

Religious inequality and discrimination targeting religious groups, may translate into resentment and fuel conflict. This paper uses data from an artefactual field experiment and survey conducted in 44 towns in India to examine whether Muslim or Hindu leaders are more likely to overcome coordination failure and whether a history of religious conflict influences this behaviour. It finds that Muslim leaders encourage greater coordination relative to Hindu leaders.

The paper then investigates possible solutions for group favourtism. Differences across groups disappear when Muslim and Hindus work together in a pre-task contact game. This policy is most effective in conflict prone areas. On the other hand, an affirmative action policy that places Muslims in leadership positions, decreases coordination in Muslim led groups.

The WIDER Seminar Series

The WIDER Seminar Series showcases recent and ongoing work on key topics in development economics. The weekly sessions held in Helsinki are open to local and visiting researchers, policy makers, and others working on development topics. Click here to read more about the WIDER Seminar Series.