Political Activists as Free Riders: Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment
通过与欧洲主要政党合作的自然田野实验，发现当得知更多同伴参与竞选活动时，志愿者会显著减少自己的参与意愿和实际行为，揭示了政治参与中的搭便车动机。
Abstract How does a citizen’s decision to participate in political activism depend on the participation of others? We conduct a nationwide natural field experiment in collaboration with a major European party during a recent national election. In a party survey, we randomly provide canvassers with true information about the canvassing intentions of their peers. When learning that more peers participate in canvassing than previously believed, canvassers significantly reduce both their canvassing intentions and behaviour. An additional survey among party supporters underscores the importance of free-riding motives and reveals that there is strong heterogeneity in motives underlying supporters’ behavioural responses.