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Pareto meets Olson: A note on Pareto-optimality and group size in linear public goods games

In this paper I examine the relationship between Pareto-optimality and group size in linear public goods games or experiments. In particular, I use the standard setting of homogeneous linear public goods experiments and apply a recently developed tool to identify all Pareto-optimal allocations in such settings. It turns out that under any conceivable circumstances, ceteris paribus, small groups have a higher Pareto-ratio (Pareto-optimal allocations over total allocations) than large groups. Hence, if Pareto-optimality of an allocation is a property that makes such allocations acceptable and maintainable, small groups will find is easier to provide Pareto-optimal amounts of a public good than large groups. This is a novel reasoning for Mancur Olson's claim, in particular, with respect to what he has termed inclusive goods and inclusive groups. --Olson,Pareto,public goods,Pareto-optimality,linear public goods experiments,inclusive groups

A few can do: Ethical behavior and the provision of public goods in an agent-based model

In this paper I examine the influence which a population of different behavioral types may have on the provision of public goods. In particular, the population or subject pool consists of three behavioral types: myopic selfish agents, enlightened selfish agents and ethically motivated agents. I use a simple agent-based simulation approach that incorporates type interaction based on forward-looking conditional cooperation within a standard linear public goods model. Among other things, I show that under the given circumstances non-provision of public goods is a negligible issue, even if the share of ethically motivated types in the population is rather small. --Linear Public Goods Games,Conditional Cooperation,Ethical Behavior,Agentbased Modeling,Pareto-optimality

Size and causes of the underground economy in Spain: A correction of the record and new evidence from the MCDR approach

We review existing estimates of the size of the Spanish underground economy, apply the Ahumada et al. (2007, RIW) correction procedure to some of them and calculate the size of the underground economy in Spain for the period 1960 through 2009 by using the modified-cash-deposits-ratio (MCDR) approach recently developed by Pickhardt and Sardà (2011, EJLE). We then extend the MCDR approach with respect to an analysis of the causes of the Spanish underground economy. Contrary to most other studies, we show that the latter is not predominantly caused by tax pressure, but by labor market aspects, macroeconomic influences and criminal activities. Based on these findings we derive some unprecedented policy recommendations. --underground economy,shadow economy,hidden economy,black economy,cash-deposit-ratio,currency demand approach,MIMIC approach

Income tax evasion in a society of heterogeneous agents: Evidence from an agent-based model

We analyze the evolution and extent of income tax evasion under alternative governmental policies in an agent-based model with heterogeneous agents. A novel aspect of our modeling is the use of an exponential utility function, which allows us to assume rather realistic audit probabilities and to yield more realistic results with respect to the extent of tax evasion. Further, the introduction of lapse of time effects constitutes another novel aspect of our model. Among other things, the model allows for assessing the impact of alternative policies on tax evasion. Subject to the model features, we find that ethical norms and lapse of time effects reduce the extent of tax evasion particularly strong. --income tax evasion,heterogeneous population,lapse of time,ethical behavior,agent-based models

Income tax evasion dynamics: Evidence from an agent-based econophysics model

We analyze income tax evasion dynamics in a standard model of statistical mechanics, the Ising model of ferromagnetism. However, in contrast to previous research, we use an inhomogeneous multi-dimensional Ising model where the local degrees of freedom (agents) are subject to a specific social temperature and coupled to external fields which govern their social behavior. This new modeling frame allows for analyzing large societies of four different and interacting agent types. As a second novelty, our model may reproduce results from agent-based models that incorporate standard Allingham and Sandmo tax evasion features as well as results from existing two-dimensional Ising based tax evasion models. We then use our model for analyzing income tax evasion dynamics under different enforcement scenarios and point to some policy implications. --tax evasion,tax compliance,Ising Model,econophysics,numerical simulation

The size of the underground economy in Germany: A correction of the record and new evidence from the Modified-Cash-Deposit-Ratio approach

Based on the Ahumada et al. (2007, Review of Income and Wealth) critique we revise existing estimates of the size of the German underground economy. Among other things, it turns out that most of these estimates are untenable and that the tax pressure induced size of the German underground economy may be much lower than previously thought. To this extent, German policy and law makers have been misguided during the last three decades. Therefore, we introduce the Modified-Cash-Deposit-Ratio (MCDR) approach, which is not subject to the recent critique and apply it to Germany for the period 1960 to 2008. --underground economy,shadow economy,cash-depositratio,currency demand approach,MIMIC approach

Fighting Income Tax Evasion with Positive Rewards: Experimental Evidence

This paper provides experimental evidence regarding the influence of positive rewards on income tax evasion behavior. In particular, we experimentally test the impact of positive rewards in form of individual lottery winnings for honest taxpayers. Among other things, we find that these positive rewards lead to a significantly higher rate of tax compliance. Moreover, there are two gender effects. Males not only evade taxes to a much higher extent than females, they also show a stronger positive response to the lottery scheme. This allows us to draw some interesting policy recommendations.