Will anybody step forward?
Diekmann's volunteer dilemma shows how a public good can remain unprovided when each person hopes someone else bears the cost.
Inside this model
The benefit is 30 if at least one person volunteers. A volunteer receives 30−cost. Waiting yields 30 with probability 1−(1−p)^(group−1), otherwise zero. Playing samples each of the other group members independently.
Out in the world
A practical use
When a shared problem needs one person to report it or organize a fix, everyone may wait despite valuing the result.
A useful lens. Not a universal law.
- This assumes identical benefits and independent fixed probabilities. Social roles and coordinated commitments can change real behavior.
Further reading
Explore the original research or the teaching reference behind this experiment.
Andreas Diekmann — Volunteer's Dilemma ↗