Norms and norm change - driven by social Kantian preferences

Abstract

Norms indicate which behaviors are common and/or considered morally right. This paper analyzes norms and norm change by modeling individuals with social-Kantian preferences, combining material self-interest, Kantian moral concerns, and attitudes towards making a greater or a smaller material sacrifice than others. In an N-person social dilemma, these preferences determine individuals’ personal moral norms and their thresholds for collective behavior (cooperation is conditional on suÿciently many others cooperating). Conditions on preferences and beliefs pro-moting/hampering changes in the behavioral norm (the modal behavior) are iden-tified. Implications for policy interventions aimed at changing norms are discussed in light of the model.

Keywords

Reference

Ingela Alger, “Norms and norm change - driven by social Kantian preferences”, TSE Working Paper, n. 24-1605, December 2024, revised April 2025.