The culture of sumo wrestling significantly influences the behavior of its participants. The ranking of a wrestler determines every aspect of his life, and these rankings are determined by the number of wins at bimonthly tournaments. There are economic, moral, and social incentives that influence the behavior of wrestlers. For instance, higher-ranked wrestlers may be bribed to lose a fight to a competitor who would otherwise not advance. Additionally, in the tight-knit sumo community, there are strong moral and social incentives for the higher-ranked wrestlers to assist those at risk of falling back in the rankings.
Author Steven Levitt, working with journalist Stephen Dubner, shows how economic theories can be use...
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