collective action

Collective action refers to united action taken by a group of people to achieve a common objective. It is a loosely organized but sustained campaign for a social goal, often involving implementing or preventing societal changes. Collective behavior, a broader term, encompasses spontaneous activities by sizable groups, such as crowds, fads, and social movements.123

A key challenge in collective action is the "collective action problem," where individuals may not work together for a common good due to disincentives or the temptation to "free ride" – benefiting from the action without contributing. This problem arises because individual rational choices can lead to suboptimal group outcomes. Social movements, a form of collective behavior, are intrinsically linked to social change, reflecting a belief that collective effort can bring about or prevent societal shifts. While some collective behavior may not lead to significant change, social movements can help build new social orders.4567