Re: [Marxism] The ultimatum game.

[Hasan Keser <hasank@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I took a econ grad lesson on behaviour and experimental economics last 
year. The inferences from such experiments have some limitations, 
primarily of course the problem of generalization and contextualization 
in 'real' world. And all other questions of altruism and free rider 
problems.
The best place to look for a good analysis of the problem is the 
writings of Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis, I think:
http://www.santafe.edu/~bowles/
Eric Olin Wright and analytical Marxists also may find useful hints in 
these games.
http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/~wright/

Yes, behavioural economics may be said to criticise the crude 
'rationalistic' 'egoistic' assumptions of micro economics and marginal 
utility economists. However, on the other hand, there is no automatic 
inconsistency with these findings and capitalist economics: a 'bounded 
rationality' or 'altruistic',  equity-driven form of rationality  may 
equally be compatible with  bourgeois economics.

Furthermore, some Marxists may also find rationality, utility 
calculation motives equally important. the problem is with the phrase:

"capitalist assumptions about rational agent behaviour"


Hasan

David Picón Álvarez wrote:
> This is a game in experimental economics. There are players A and B. Player 
> A gets an amount of money M, that he can split between himself and B in 
> whatever proportion he pleases. B gets A's proposal and can accept it and 
> get what A gave him, or refuse it, and neither A nor B get anything. The 
> basic version is played only once (no iteration) and anonymously.
>
> It turns out that a few of the expected "rational" responses are not 
> followed, but there is a tendency towards even or near-even splits. More 
> information available here: 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ultimatum_game&printable=yes
>
> This one, together with the dictator game, seems to be a datum in favour of 
> inequity aversion, and certainly against the traditional utility 
> maximization theory of rational actors, with purely endogenous utility 
> functions.
>
> Do you think this kind of experiment has power to expose the problematic 
> with the capitalist assumptions about rational agent behaviour
> ? To what 
> extent does it have explanatory power, or is it just a random game?
>
> --David.
>
>
> ________________________________________________
> YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message.
> Send list submissions to: Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Set your options at: 
> http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/hasank%40alumni.bilkent.edu.tr
>
>   


________________________________________________
YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message.
Send list submissions to: Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Set your options at: 
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40archives.econ.utah.edu