Social Exclusion and Social Preferences: Evidence from Colombia’s Leper Colony

Abstract

This paper explores the intergenerational consequences of social exclusion on prosociality. A lab-in-the-field approach in the historical region of Colombia’s leper colony reveals that descendants of socially excluded individuals are locally altruistic and extend such altruism to outsiders who have undergone similar circumstances. These individuals also display mistrust toward those who have, historically, been exclusionary—in this case, doctors. The content of historical narratives shared by ancestors who were excluded, which emphasize the endured mistreatment and doctors’ historical misinformation, is one mechanism that partially explains the intergenerational patterns. (JEL D64, H51, I12, I18, N36, N96, Z13)

Circulation Expectations, Farmer Trust, and Farmers’ Contract Choice Behavior

“…Contracts, serving as a fundamental governance instrument [13], assume a critical role within the context of land marketization, particularly in agricultural land transfer. By regulating the conduct of land transfer transactions [14], clarifying the rights and obligations of all involved parties [15], and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of both parties [16,17], contracts stimulate innovation and advancement in the agricultural land transfer system, facilitating the efficient allocation of rural resources and sustainable rural economic development. Moreover, recognizing contracts as a crucial tool of contemporary governance [18,19] can enhance the operational efficiency and governance capacity of the land transfer system, thus promoting the modernization of rural governance.…”