Economic Analysis of Stigma in Public Policy: Poverty Alleviating Program, Environmental Policy, Financial Crisis, and Infectious Disease Control

Abstract

　In order to explain social phenomena that standard economic models cannot explain, economists have taken into account non-economic factors such as identity. In particular, stigma, which is a negative identity, has received much attention because of its potential to affect the effectiveness of policies. This paper provides an overview of economic research that considers stigma as a social psychological factor, particularly research related to welfare policy, environmental issues, financial crises, and infectious disease control, and presents a perspective on the economic study of stigma.