The "Logic of Collective Action" and beyond

This article provides an overview of Mancur Olson's Logic of Collective Action and its impact on Olson's subsequent work. It also suggests that the implications of his simple, elegant, theory have not yet been fully worked out. To illustrate this point, the second half of the essay demonst...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public choice 2015-09, Vol.164 (3/4), p.217-234
Main Author: Congleton, Roger D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Collective action
Costs
Culture
Economic factors
Economics
Economics and Finance
Formal organization
Group size
Interest groups
Labor unions
Olson, Mancur
Political Science
Politics
Public Finance
Studies
Theory
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Summary:This article provides an overview of Mancur Olson's Logic of Collective Action and its impact on Olson's subsequent work. It also suggests that the implications of his simple, elegant, theory have not yet been fully worked out. To illustrate this point, the second half of the essay demonstrates that the number of privileged and latent groups and their costs in a given society are not entirely determined by economic factors or group size alone. Politics, technology, and culture also matter.
ISSN:0048-5829
1573-7101
DOI:10.1007/s11127-015-0266-7