Collective action

Collective action is the synchronous performance of the same action by more than one agent or person. If the action is more abstract, and the agents pursuit a common a goal or set of goals, then we can speak of collective intention. A large group can be dangerous for the individual, for example during a mass panic, but the "collective" can be attractive and seductive for the invidiual member:

• Individuals may feel stronger than they are during synchronous action due to feedback effects and illusions. Although the individual makes only a small effort, it seems to have a large effect during collective, synchronous actions

• Individuals may exploit the benefits and the "public goods" of the group, as explained in "The Logic of Collective Action" by Mancur Olson Harvard University Press (1971): why should you put yourself out to secure a public good if someone else does it?

Links

• Wikipedia entry for Collective Action
• Notebook entry for Collective Action