Friday, March 20, 2009

File This Under...Weird Incentives

The Western Economic Association is having its elections, and has a interesting incentive scheme to encourage voting among its members:
For every 100 votes cast, WEAI will donate a dairy goat through Heifer International, an organization that helps families around the world become self-reliant. The gift of a dairy goat can supply a family with several quarts of milk a day. All it will take from you is a few minutes of your time.

I wonder why they are so interested in getting out the vote, Condorcet jury theorem?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think it is very interesting, they have identified (at least in theory) that an incentive for economists to vote may be the opportunity to increase self-sufficiency of households.

I truly would have enjoyed being present at the debate which occurred at the board level prior to selecting the incentive. That would have truly been a weird conversation.