Book contents
- Reciprocity and the Art of Behavioural Public Policy
- Reciprocity and the Art of Behavioural Public Policy
- Copyright page
- About the author
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures and Tables
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Setting the Scene
- 2 Animals and Infants
- 3 A Pinch of Anthropology
- 4 A Dash of Behavioural Economics
- 5 The Domain of Reciprocity
- 6 The Dark Side of Reciprocity
- 7 Nurturing Reciprocity in Public Policy
- 8 Reciprocity-Informed Policy Design
- 9 Towards a Political Economy of Behavioural Public Policy
- 10 Summing Up
- References
- Index
6 - The Dark Side of Reciprocity
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 July 2019
- Reciprocity and the Art of Behavioural Public Policy
- Reciprocity and the Art of Behavioural Public Policy
- Copyright page
- About the author
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures and Tables
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Setting the Scene
- 2 Animals and Infants
- 3 A Pinch of Anthropology
- 4 A Dash of Behavioural Economics
- 5 The Domain of Reciprocity
- 6 The Dark Side of Reciprocity
- 7 Nurturing Reciprocity in Public Policy
- 8 Reciprocity-Informed Policy Design
- 9 Towards a Political Economy of Behavioural Public Policy
- 10 Summing Up
- References
- Index
Summary
This chapter reviews some of the many possible harmful consequences of reciprocal actions. For example, people acting reciprocally for mutual interest can sometimes impose harms on third parties. Moreover, strengthening reciprocity and cooperation within a group may intensify their animosity towards outsiders, a possibility that is associated with nationalism, fundamentalism and many other harmful 'isms'. Indeed, there is even the potential for mutually reinforcing cliques to treat others who are ostensibly within the same broader group as outsiders, which may damage the collective. Reciprocal motivations can also be used as an attempt to obligate people against their wishes, which is particularly obnoxious when there are differential power relationships between those involved, and potentially undermines the very notion of a fair exchange. Furthermore, in relation to negative reciprocity, injustice may be felt if it is believed that the punishment is arbitrary or excessive, which can lead to spiralling retaliation and retribution, a spiral that is often very difficult to break.
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- Reciprocity and the Art of Behavioural Public Policy , pp. 93 - 110Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2019