Abstract
Paternalistic policies are pervasive, yet little is known about how relationships
between decision-makers and targets shape them. This paper examines how social proximity – the degree to which individuals share identity-defining
traits – influences paternalistic interventions. In an experiment with a representative U.S. sample, we manipulate proximity and distinguish between
preference-responsive paternalism, reflecting one’s own preferences, and belief-responsive paternalism, reflecting beliefs about others’ preferences. Social proximity leaves the overall frequency of restrictions unchanged but shifts
their driver: low proximity fosters preference-responsive paternalism, while
high proximity promotes belief-responsive paternalism. Non-religious and
independents restrict least; Christians and Republicans restrict more dissimilar
others.
between decision-makers and targets shape them. This paper examines how social proximity – the degree to which individuals share identity-defining
traits – influences paternalistic interventions. In an experiment with a representative U.S. sample, we manipulate proximity and distinguish between
preference-responsive paternalism, reflecting one’s own preferences, and belief-responsive paternalism, reflecting beliefs about others’ preferences. Social proximity leaves the overall frequency of restrictions unchanged but shifts
their driver: low proximity fosters preference-responsive paternalism, while
high proximity promotes belief-responsive paternalism. Non-religious and
independents restrict least; Christians and Republicans restrict more dissimilar
others.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Tinbergen Institute |
| Volume | 25-068/I |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Dec 2025 |
Publication series
| Name | TI Discussion Paper Series |
|---|---|
| Publisher | TI Discussion Paper Series |
| No. | 25-068/I |