Final answer:
When people working together achieve more collectively than they could individually, they have achieved collective action. This can be hindered by social loafing and free riding but is critical for successful collaborations and is known as organic solidarity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When people working together can achieve more than they would working individually, they have achieved collective action. This phenomenon can be observed when groups are united by a common goal, such as defeating a shared enemy, and must work together despite their differences.
However, in any group effort, it's important to note that not all contributions are equal, and this can lead to issues like social loafing, where individuals exert less effort because they cannot be evaluated separately. This can create a collective action problem, where the success of the group is undermined by individual members who prioritize their own interest over the group's objectives, known as free riding.
Despite these challenges, effective collaborations are essential and can lead to significant accomplishments and mutual interdependence, termed organic solidarity. Addressing collective action problems is critical for the health and welfare of people within these collaborative arrangements.