Working Papers

2024

1. Review Paper

   [Economics]

   Dissernet: Overcoming Scientific Misconduct in Post-Soviet Academia

   Egor Bronnikov, and Andrey Rostovtsev

   2024

   Abstract

   TBA.

2024

1. Review Paper

   [Political Science]

   Unmasking Postmodern Autocratic Propaganda: What We Know About It And What We Don’t.

   Egor Bronnikov

   World Politics: Proposal Approved,  2024

   Abstract

   This review essay aims to address several questions raised by the impact of propaganda in modern autocracies. It also examines the distinctions between this form of propaganda and the one traditionally associated with classical dictatorships, as well as its correlation with repression and protests in present-day autocracies. To achieve this, the essay will conduct an in-depth analysis of recent research papers and books that explore the fundamentals of propaganda and its manifestations in contemporary autocratic regimes. The objectives of this review are threefold. First, to provide a synopsis of the cutting-edge knowledge on propaganda as presented in the literature. Second, to offer a critical analysis that integrates recent literature from political science and economics to yield a more comprehensive assessment. Third, to identify the gaps in our current comprehension of propaganda in modern autocracies.

2. Research Paper

   [Economics]

   Motivated Efforts.

   Egor Bronnikov

   2024

   Abstract

   A remarkable state of the current literature on motivated reasoning is the idea that, although humans update their beliefs in a manner that deviates significantly from rational Bayesian reasoning, this divergence does not necessarily translate into corresponding actions. This paper is the first to explore how distorted beliefs can influence individuals’ effort provision in non-zero-sum games. Through laboratory experiments, we aim to document how subjects – Bayesian updaters and Motivated reasoners – update their beliefs and make commitments to exert effort in the context of identity-relevant tasks.

3. Research Paper

   [Economics]

   (De)Motivating Sentiments: The Effects of Induced Emotions on Asymmetric Belief Updating

   Egor Bronnikov, and Michalis Drouvelis

   2024

   Abstract

   TBA.

4. Research Paper

   [Economics]

   Motivated Losses

   Egor Bronnikov, Pedro Gonzalez-Fernandez, and Thomas Meissner

   2024

   Abstract

   TBA.

5. Discussion Paper

   [Political Science]

   Rethinking Transitional Justice For Postwar Russia: Challenging The Assumptions.

   Egor Bronnikov

   2024

   Abstract

   TBA

6. Research Paper

   [Economics]

   Wartime Preferences: The Effect of Violence Exposure on Time and Risk Attitudes

   Egor Bronnikov, and Hannes Rusch

   2024

   Abstract

   TBA.

2023

1. Research Paper

   [Economics]

   Is Loneliness a Blessing or a Curse? Effects of Loneliness on Social and Economic Preferences.

   Egor Bronnikov, and Christian Koch

   2023

   Abstract

   Loneliness is a significant problem of our times: every second individual feels lonely at least occasionally, and every seventeenth experiences it often or always. The dramatic negative effects of loneliness are well-documented in the literature, affecting both mental and physical health. However, loneliness remains an under-researched area. Specifically, there is no study on the social and economic preferences that establishes the causal effect of loneliness. To the best of our knowledge, our paper is the first to address this issue using economic laboratory settings. We document the multidimensional effects of loneliness on social and economic preferences. The primary implication of our studies is to provide reasons why and through which mechanisms lonely individuals can be more easily exploited than those who are not (or less) lonely, and are hence at higher risk. Our paper also offers insights for policymakers on how to mitigate these effects.

2. Research Paper

   [Economics]

   Is Egalitarianism Equivalent To Libertarianism Under High Trust?

   Egor Bronnikov

   2023

   Abstract

   Enhancing trust is recognized in the literature as fostering a stronger legal system, accelerating economic growth rates, and promoting higher levels of welfare. Simultaneously, considerations of fairness play a pivotal role in decision-making. However, there is a lack of explicit research on how information about individuals’ fairness preferences impacts interpersonal trust—a question that I am addressing in this study. The novel design of the laboratory experiment presented in this paper sheds light on this matter. Potentially, this paper contributes to the existing literature on trust dimensionality and heterogeneity, beliefs-dependence, and the social context. This study has two significant implications: under a high level of interpersonal trust, (i) inequality is mitigated, and (ii) fairness norms tend to converge towards strict egalitarianism. In terms of policy implications, there is a need for greater diversity or dimensionality of fairness to be introduced (e.g., in taxation systems and social inclusivity).

2022

1. Review Paper

   [Economics]

   How to Make an Economic Experiment? A Brief Introduction In Experimental Design.

   Egor Bronnikov, Alexis Belianin, and Alexey Upravitelev

   2022