SOCI 386 Lecture Notes - Alexis De Tocqueville, Collective Identity, Rape Culture
31 Mar 2013
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Document Summary
Assumes people have a clear and stable ranking of preferences and that they know what they want. Problem begins with the goal of sms- they generally aim at collective goods like democracy or the environment, so that everyone gets the benefits regardless of whether they participate. Since the benefits do not depend on your individual actions, there is no incentive (almost a disincentive) to participate. Olson claims the nature of sms hinders rational participation in sms (sms as inherently irrational) As the group gets bigger, there is less and less incentive to participate (what about the threshold dynamic?) Even small group conditions with selective incentives sometimes fail to mobilize people. Neglects structuring effect of institutions, social networks, and the professionalization of organizations (sometimes people become involved in sms just for a job) Assumes movements are inherently irrational in their mass sense (olson is a dick)- dismisses collective action so he doesn"t have to explain it (olson is also lazy)
