Question

In the book "The Logic of Collective Action", Mancur Olson argues that interest shared by a larger number of people have a harder time getting organized than those shared by only a few people. What does Olson give for the reason? (give two) Provide examples.

Answer 1

In the book "The Logic of Collective Action", Mancur Olson argues that interest shared by a larger number of people have a harder time getting organized than those shared by only a few people. He provides two reasons for this: free-riding and coordination problems.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the book "The Logic of Collective Action", Mancur Olson argues that interest shared by a larger number of people have a harder time getting organized than those shared by only a few people. He provides two reasons for this.

1. Free-riding: Olson argues that when a group is large, individuals have an incentive to free-ride, meaning they benefit from the group's efforts without contributing themselves. For example, in a labor union, some members may choose not to pay union dues but still enjoy the benefits of improved wages and working conditions.
2. Coordination problems: Olson suggests that larger groups face more difficulties in coordinating their actions and making collective decisions. It becomes challenging to reach a consensus and take action. For instance, in a political movement, it may be harder to mobilize a large number of people to protest or support a particular cause.