Fairness and International Cooperation

• In Event: Experimental Approaches to Understanding International Cooperation

Abstract

Governments often face criticism for not contributing their fair share to military alliances. In this paper, we examine how citizens assess the fairness of contributions to alliances, and how perceptions of fairness affect support for foreign policy. In the first half of the paper, we use survey experiments to estimate the importance of several standards of fairness, such as requiring allies to contribute equally; according to their ability; in proportion to the benefits they receive; and/or in line with promises they have made. We also compare the perceived fairness of monetary versus non-monetary contributions and current versus historical contributions. We further test whether citizens hold some countries to higher standards of fairness than others. In the second half of the paper, we investigate how perceptions of fairness shape preferences over foreign policy. How do beliefs about shirking affect public willingness to defend allies, maintain military deployments and spending levels, and engage with allies on other issues? The paper has important implications not only for alliance politics, but also for understanding how perceptions of fairness affect public support for international cooperation.

Authors

• Michael R. Tomz, Stanford University

• Jessica L. P. Weeks, University of Wisconsin-Madison