provided by Research Papers in Economics
DESARROLLO Y SO
CIEDAD
SEGUNDO SEMESTRE DE 2006, PP. 245-260.
Altruism with Social Roots:
An Emerging Literature*
El origen social del altruismo:
una literatura emergente
Pablo Branas-Garza **
Marfa Paz Espinosa ***
Abstract
This paper analyzes the emerging literature on the determinants of
giving within a social network. We propose two main explanatory
variables for previous experimental results on the friendship effect.
The first is social integration, which has a positive impact on giving.
The second variable is strategic and is based on reciprocity: the possi-
bility of ex-post favors. Econometric analysis shows that both vari-
ables play a positive (and significant) role.
Key words: giving, social networks, reciprocity, social integration.
JEL Classification: C91, D64, Z13.
* Maria Paz Espinosa acknowledges financial aid from UPV and DGCYT (BEC2003- 02084
y SEJ 2006-06309 ECON); Pablo Branas-Garza from DGCYT (SEJ2004-07554/ECON)
and GV (GV06/275). We are indebted to two anonymous referees for their comments and
suggestions.
** Professor of the Department of Economics and Economic History, Granada University,
Campus de la Cartuja s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain. Email: [email protected]
***Professor of the Department of Economics, University of the Basque Country, Lehendakari
Aguirre 83, 48015 Bilbao, Spain. Email: [email protected]
This paper was received April 24, 2006, modified November 13, 2006 and accepted
December 13, 2006.
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