Cooperation and social control: effects of preferences, institutions, and social structure

Cooperation is a fundamental part of human life. In social groups at every scale, from students working together on a project to countries faced with a mutual danger, cooperative behavior is essential to obtain desirable collective outcomes. Cooperation is also precarious. A temptation to take a free ride on the hard work of others, a fear that others will not pull their weight, or an uncertain future can all lead to a breakdown of cooperation. This dissertation sheds light on four factors which influence whether cooperation is successfully achieved and sustained: individual preferences, the composition of the social group, institutions for social control, and the broader social context in which the group is embedded.