Interest groups
When participating in a group project, you may notice that some students carry out the bulk of task while others do very little. When the results are back, everyone scores a high grade. This is a classic example of a collective problem, and we can find it in private and public organizations and also in government. Whether it is the legislature trying to pass the budget, an interest organization trying to persuade members to contact the lawmakers, firms must overcome this problems to work at optimal level. It is accurate for interest groups whose creation and existence depend on members doing the important task to keep the organization solvent.
Collective action problems occur when individuals have an inhibition to take action. The problems are regular among organized interests. Citizens have concerns regarding issues such as gun control, taxation, or environment protection, but these uneasiness are not essentially strong to become politically viable. Many people do not take action on most of these matters, either because they do not have the confidence or because their action will have little impact on whether the program is adopted. When individuals receive benefits without incurring cost, it is known as free rider program. For example, when National Public Radio (NPR) organizes a fund-raiser to help run the station, a significant number of people are unlikely to participate in the drive while a small group will take part. Those persons who did not contribute will free ride and continue listening to the station.
Collective action problem and free riding happens in a lot of instances. If a union membership is non-compulsory and all workers will receive a wage increase whether they are members or not, a significant number will free ride. All the members enjoy these benefits. Since free riding is prevalent and the interest groups are many in America, these groups seek financial support from people outside these groups. Organizations with financial capabilities have an edge in marshalling in that they can hire the services of a lobbyist. Also, smaller interest group have an advantage since they can get to a consensus easily, and free riding is not common. In America, organizations and government formulate programs that suit the minority.
Purposive incentives focus on matters or options brought by the group. For example, if a person wants to protect personal rights, they may join organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Collective action problems are conquered because there is limited option whether to join the organization. For example, some organizations may need membership to participate in a particular profession.
Besides the factors above that can aid in overcoming collective action problems, external factors can assist organize groups and future members.’ The disturbance theory can show why these organizations mobilize because of an occurrence in the social, environment, economic, or political. For example, recently, the shooting of young African American males raises racial awareness in America and future difficulties in formulating policy. In the Ferguson shooting in 2014, riots erupt when the state of Missouri declines to prosecute the shooter, Darren Wilson, a white policeman. This incident mobilizes interest groups who represent civil rights.
Finally, interest groups have to deal with hindrances to take part, especially when people understand that their participation is not crucial to the success of the group. Individuals free ride when they can get benefits without donating to the costs of obtaining these gains. To control these questions, leaders of these interest groups may give inducements to members or future members to aid them in mobilization. Small, wealthy interest groups have an edge to overcome collective action problems.