The Logic of Collective Action: Theory and Applications

This research illustrates the principles developed in "The Logic of Collective Action: A Retrospective View." These applications serve to illustrate the importance of joint products, the neutrality theorem, and the requirements of privileged groups. Moreover, the applications indicate the validity of the three basic themes of collective action. Theme 1 relates group size to the effectiveness of collective action. Theme 2 concerns the relationship that group composition has on 'group formation and burden sharing within collectives. Theme 3 involves the means for promoting more effective collective action. Applications concern military alliances, foreign aid, philanthropy, the growth of nations, labor unions, international responses to terrorism, the commons, strategic trade policy, international organizations and public inputs (infrastructure).