Collective Action

Collective Action: Working in a group to achieve a common objective.
Often involves collaboration toward a public good, especially in government settings.

Definition: A resource that is non-excludable and non-rivalrous.
- Non-excludable: No one can be prevented from enjoying it.
- Non-rivalrous: One person's use does not diminish the availability for others.
Example: Ordering pizza for the dorm shows non-excludability, but pizza is rivalrous as it can run out.

Public Goods:
- National defense
- Roads
- Free access to the Madison Zoo
Not Public Goods: Higher education (excludable).
Important to note: Not everything the public benefits from is classified as a public good.

Coordination Issues:
- Group Size: Larger groups complicate order and consensus.
- Preferences: Diverse individual preferences hinder agreement.
- Authority: Absence of central decision-making can disrupt coordination.

Transparency: Lack of honesty among members can create confusion about contributions and needs.
Free Riding:
- Individuals who take advantage of benefits without contributing.
- Example: Those who do not express food preferences or help with logistics but benefit from the pizza.
Costs Associated with Collective Action:
- Transaction Costs: Time and resources involved in achieving group consensus.
- Conformity Costs: Individuals must adhere to group decisions even if they disagree.

While collective action has inherent challenges, it allows groups to achieve results unattainable individually.
The key to navigating these challenges lies in finding effective strategies for coordination and engagement to ensure everyone participates willingly.