The Logic of Collective Action: Public Goods and the Theory of Groups

“This one is an exercise in political economy. Indeed, Olson himself was an economist, but a heterodox one…Olson’s book is about collective action. He is interested in things like trade unions, where collective action is absolutely central. It starts from premises about rational self-interest and factual premises about the structure of payoffs and incentive structures, and from that, it derives an explanation of why it’s so hard to mount successful collective action, and why it’s harder for some groups than others.” Read more...

The Best Political Science Books

Robert E. Goodin, Political Scientist