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I Will Give You My Vote but Not My Money: Preferences for Public versus Private Action in Addressing Social Issues
Author(s) -
Norwood Franklin Bailey,
Tonsor Glynn,
Lusk Jayson L
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
applied economic perspectives and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.4
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 2040-5804
pISSN - 2040-5790
DOI - 10.1093/aepp/ppy002
Subject(s) - commit , action (physics) , government (linguistics) , chose , public relations , voluntary action , public opinion , business , public support , public economics , public administration , law and economics , political science , economics , law , psychology , linguistics , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , database , politics , computer science , neuroscience , perception
This study explores the extent to which individuals will support public action but, in its absence, will not commit their own voluntary efforts. An internet survey was administered to over 3,500 individuals with hypothetical scenarios in which they could donate their own money toward a cause and/or support government action. When asked to choose between public or private action, most chose a combination of the two, suggesting that public and private partnerships are the preferred vehicle for solutions to social problems. Close to 20% indicated they would vote for laws to confront an issue but not contribute their own private donations.