Global vs. Local Information

Abstract

In this paper I apply stochastic stability to compare local information to global information in terms of welfare. Under global information agents potentially imitate anyone else, while under local information choices are grouped into information sets and agents can observe and hence imitate only those within their own information set. The welfare evaluation of information is ambiguous over finite time horizons, while in the long run less (more) information is better in the presence of pure negative (positive) spillovers. However, when a selection issue is considered a further ambiguity emerges making the comparison, in general, uncertain.imitation; local information; global information; stochastic stability