The sumo wrestling community balances economic incentives and moral obligations through a complex interplay of factors. Economic incentives come into play as a wrestler's ranking, which determines every aspect of his life, is influenced by the number of wins at bimonthly tournaments. There are instances where higher-ranked wrestlers are suspected to be bribed to lose a fight, enabling a competitor to advance. However, the sumo community also has strong moral and social incentives. The tight-knit community values the integrity of the sport and the welfare of its members, which can lead to higher-ranked wrestlers assisting those at risk of falling back in the rankings. This balance is maintained through a combination of these economic, moral, and social factors.
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Author Steven Levitt, working with journalist Stephen Dubner, shows how economic theories can be used to analyze social issues. Each of the six essays...
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In the world of sumo wrestling, an individual wrestler's ranking determines every aspect of his life. Rankings are determined by the number of wins at bimonthly tournaments. Studies have found that, in a 15-round tournament, an unusually high number of wrestlers with a 7-7 record go on to win in their final bout, enabling them to advance. The author theorizes that economic incentives could be involved, as higher-ranked wrestlers are bribed to throw a fight in favor of a competitor who would otherwise not advance. However, in the tight-knit sumo community, where the stakes for winning or losing are high, there are also strong moral and social incentives for the higher-ranked wrestlers to assist those at risk of falling back in the rankings.