PSC 1001 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Collective Action
Document Summary
Balancing individual and collective interests collective action problem: a situation where each individual has private incentives not to participate in an action that benefits all members of the group. Hobbe"s problems fundamental challenge of politics: make authoritative public choices two ways to solve: use coercion or gain consent. Ex: kurds consider themselves part of kurdish nation but live in many states membership in a state is an objective, legal fact nationalism: feeling of identification with a nation. Understanding early state formation founding of modern world system of states: 1648 (signing of tow) 2 explanations for early rise of european states: political interests and environment. Middle ages: rulers pursued own political interests as coercive, self-seeking entrepreneurs early state formation triggered by war preparations. The military context changes in technology in ma gave incentive to increase military spending which required raising taxes taxes and war preparation require centralization of power and construction of large, complex bureaucracies that characterize modern states.
