Unfortunately, many people, and even societies (e.g., the Russians) care more for being better off than their neighbors than they care for their absolute level of wealth. That is, many people, if given the choice between (a) both you and your neighbor get ten thousand dollars, or (b) you lose five thousand dollars and your neighbor loses twenty thousand dollars, they perversely choose (b).
—Dr. Rick Boettger
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While this phenomenon is likely also the source of continued competition and drive against complacency, it can be a horribly destructive and scary to watch in action. I've seen classes of game theory and economic students decline cash apparently to enforce fairness, even after studying the theoretical solution. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimatum_game
Also, I just read this:
http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=30925365&postID=1236258265665411725
Posted by: Jason | 23 June 2007 at 17:34