Template-type: ReDif-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Werner, Peter
Author-workplace-name: RS: GSBE ETBC, Microeconomics & Public Economics, RS: GSBE Theme Human Decisions and Policy Design
Author-Name: Riedl, Arno
Author-workplace-name: Microeconomics & Public Economics, RS: GSBE ETBC, RS: GSBE Theme Human Decisions and Policy Design
Title: The role of experiments for policy design
Abstract: In this paper, we review selected evidence to demonstrate the value of experiments for policy design with a focus on environmental policy and tax policy. Experiments can substantially improve ex-ante predictions about the outcomes of policy interventions, for example, by serving as “testbeds” to compare alternative market rules and mechanisms under tightly controlled conditions. Experiments also yield important insights into systematic deviations from strict rationality and into the heterogeneity of preferences among decision-makers that can form the basis for the (re-) design of policies. Besides describing various experimental approaches applied in the areas of environmental policy and tax policy, we also discuss further directions for successful collaborations between experimental economists and political decision-makers.
Series: GSBE Research Memoranda
Creation-Date: 20180827
Number: 022
File-URL: https://cris.maastrichtuniversity.nl/ws/files/27761787/RM18022.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 719315
Handle: Repec:unm:umagsb:2018022
DOI: 10.26481/umagsb.2018022