Voluntary Contributions to Public Goods: Socio-Economic Implications and the Role of Civic Crowdfunding Cover Image

Dobrovoľné príspevky na verejné statky: Spoločensko-ekonomické súvislosti a význam občianskeho crowdfundingu
Voluntary Contributions to Public Goods: Socio-Economic Implications and the Role of Civic Crowdfunding

Author(s): Eva Sirakovová, Anetta Čaplánová
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Economy, Sociology, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Sociologický ústav - Slovenská akadémia vied
Keywords: Public goods; private financing of public goods; behavioural economics; experimental economics; voluntary contribution mechanism; civic crowdfunding

Summary/Abstract: The penetration of the behavioral approach to economic models and policymaking has recently become relatively widespread. It has also affected the area of financing and provision of public goods, as in the current economically complex situation brought forward also the question whether public goods and services can also be financed by the private sector. The aim of the article is to provide an overview of alternative mechanisms of financing of public goods with a particular emphasis on the voluntary contribution mechanism (VCM) and explain which factors motivate people to voluntarily contribute to the financing of publicly beneficial projects. We examine behavioral and sociological factors such as altruism, reciprocity and conditional cooperation and their relevance for the decision of individuals to contribute to financing of public goods. One of the existing alternatives is civic crowdfunding, which provides an institutional mechanism for individual voluntary contributions to publicly beneficial projects. We study also its potential and limitations.

  • Issue Year: 55/2023
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 341-365
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: Slovak