Theorie van het collectieve handelen (I). De theorie van Olson

Samenvatting

Discussed is M. Olson's theory of collective action (The Logic of Collective Action, Public Goods and the Theory of Groups, Harvard U Press, 1965 & 1971). Collective goods are defined as those that cannot be divided among individual consumers & for which there is no price/use relationship (eg, dikes, roads). There is no competition for their consumption & they can be used by individuals regardless of their contribution. It is argued that it is possible to exclude categories of persons from some public goods (eg, water service) & that there may be competition for others (eg, public health). From the production viewpoint Olson adopted a methodological individualism consisting of treating groups as single agents. This obscures the decision-making process. J. M. Buchanan's model (The Demand and Supply of Public Goods, Chicago, 1968) of supply & demand for collective goods is described & discussed. Olson claims that individuals must be coerced to act in their collective interest. Voluntary cooperation is possible in small but not in large groups. Small groups are more efficient but lead to the exploitation of weaker members & tend to provide a suboptimal amount of collective goods. Olson's typology of groups is described. 2 Figures. Modified AA.