Collective Action
Overview
Collective action refers to action taken together by a group of people whose goal is to enhance their status and achieve a common objective. It is a term that has formulations and theories in many areas of the social sciences including psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science and economics. An important issue in this area is to distinguish the term from similar concepts such as cooperation and coordination.
Theories of Collective Action
Olson's Theory
One of the pioneering theories of collective action was proposed by Olson in his book "The Logic of Collective Action". According to Olson, individuals in any group attempting collective action will have incentives to "free ride" on the efforts of others if the group is working to provide public goods. Public goods are goods that are non-excludable and non-rival. Examples include clean air and clean water.
Ostrom's Theory
Ostrom, on the other hand, proposed a theory that contradicted Olson's view. She argued that under certain conditions, communities could successfully manage common-pool resources without resorting to either private property rights or government intervention. Her work emphasized the multifaceted nature of human interactions in collective action.
Social Identity Theory
Social identity theory suggests that people who identify with a group will behave in ways that reflect the norms of the group. This theory is often used to explain why people participate in collective actions that are focused on social change.
Factors Influencing Collective Action
Several factors can influence the likelihood of collective action. These include group size, incentives, the heterogeneity of the group, the ability to cooperate and coordinate, and the presence of a common threat or goal.
Group Size
According to Olson's theory, the size of the group can have a significant impact on the likelihood of collective action. In large groups, the success of the collective action is often seen as less dependent on the contribution of any single member, leading to a lower level of contribution.
Incentives
Incentives can also play a crucial role in collective action. If the benefits of collective action are high and the costs are low, individuals are more likely to participate.
Heterogeneity of the Group
The heterogeneity of the group can also influence collective action. In a heterogeneous group, individuals may have different preferences and abilities, which can make it harder to achieve a common goal.
Ability to Cooperate and Coordinate
The ability of the group to cooperate and coordinate their actions is another important factor. If the group members can communicate effectively and trust each other, they are more likely to be able to work together to achieve their common goal.
Presence of a Common Threat or Goal
The presence of a common threat or goal can also motivate collective action. If all the members of the group perceive a common threat or share a common goal, they are more likely to act collectively to address the threat or achieve the goal.
Examples of Collective Action
Collective action can take many forms, including protests, strikes, and social movements. It can also occur in more mundane situations, such as when a group of neighbors work together to clean up a local park.
Protests
Protests are a common form of collective action. They involve a group of people coming together to express their dissatisfaction with a particular issue. Protests can be effective in bringing about social or political change.
Strikes
Strikes are another form of collective action, typically involving workers in a particular industry. The goal of a strike is usually to achieve better working conditions or higher wages.
Social Movements
Social movements are a broader form of collective action. They involve large groups of people working together to achieve social, political, or cultural change. Examples of social movements include the civil rights movement, the women's rights movement, and the environmental movement.
Challenges of Collective Action
Despite its potential benefits, collective action is not without its challenges. These include the free-rider problem, coordination problems, and the issue of enforcement.
Free-Rider Problem
The free-rider problem is a common challenge in collective action. This problem occurs when individuals benefit from a collective good without contributing to its provision. This can lead to under-provision of the good and can discourage others from contributing.
Coordination Problems
Coordination problems can also pose challenges to collective action. These problems occur when it is difficult for group members to coordinate their actions in a way that achieves the collective goal.
Enforcement
Enforcement is another challenge in collective action. This refers to the difficulty of ensuring that all group members contribute to the provision of the collective good. Without effective enforcement mechanisms, some individuals may choose to free-ride on the efforts of others.
Conclusion
Collective action is a complex and multifaceted concept. It involves a range of theories and can be influenced by a variety of factors. Despite its challenges, collective action has the potential to bring about significant social, political, and economic change.