Summary and Main Ideas
Summary
Interest groups often have to contend with disincentives to participate, particularly when individuals realize their participation is not critical to a group’s success. People often free ride when they can obtain benefits without contributing to the costs of obtaining these benefits. To overcome these challenges, group leaders may offer incentives to members or potential members to help them mobilize. Groups that are small, wealthy, and/or better organized are sometimes better able to overcome collective action problems. Sometimes external political, social, or economic disturbances result in interest group mobilization.
Practice Questions
- What are some ways to overcome collective action problems?
- Why do some groups have an easier time overcoming collective action problems?
Sample Answer:
1. Incentives that help overcome collective action problems include material, solidary, and purposive benefits. These are often offered by group leaders. Sometimes, political, economic, or social disturbances help overcome collective action problems by mobilizing groups.
Glossary
free rider problem: the situation that occurs when some individuals receive benefits (get a free ride) without helping to bear the cost
material incentives: substantive monetary or physical benefits given to group members to help overcome collective action problems
purposive incentives: benefits to overcome collective action problems that appeal to people’s support of the issue or cause
solidary incentives: benefits based on the concept that people like to associate with those who are similar to them
This lesson is part of:
American Interest Groups and Lobbying