Z:gnu-www-ja-frank--f05039-Yet few economists include the/en

Yet few economists include these broader concerns in their models of human behavior. It may well be that the unpaid volunteer who heads the local United Way Campaign is driven purely by his concern for the disadvantaged; but economists feel on much firmer ground if they can identify some more narrowly self-interested motive for his action. And on inspection, there is at least some evidence in support of their cynicism. When we examine the membership rolls of volunteer organizations, we find that insurance brokers, real estate agents, car dealers, chiropractors, and others with something to sell tend to be disproportionately represented. Such organizations have less than their share of truck drivers and postal employees.