An experimental investigation of the calculus of consent

We conduct a laboratory experiment to investigate group decision-making, inspired by a model from Buchanan and Tullock’s The Calculus of Consent . Unlike previous researchers, we move beyond simple majority and unanimity rules, allowing groups to choose voting rules endogenously. The results of our experiment are consistent with the Buchanan–Tullock model. In particular, we confirm a tendency toward less restrictive voting rules when decision-making costs are high and external costs are low. We also find that less restrictive voting rules lead to higher group profits.