Essays on the Effects of Institutions and Trust on Collective Action

Abstract

"This dissertation examines the effects of community-based institutional arrangements and trust on the propensity to act cooperatively in natural resource commons. There are three empirical studies comprising the major chapters of the dissertation. In Chapter 2, the effects of user group monitoring and sanctioning activities are empirically assessed as applied to forestry. In Chapter 3, statistical models are tested to examine the propensity of both user groups and external governments to engage in monitoring and sanctioning activities. Chapter 4 relies on experimental work conducted in Bulgaria. It reports on the effects of common property institutions on cooperation in these experiments."