Social Movements and Social Change

Review The prisoner’s dilemma model shows that when there is competition for scarce resources, behavior that is rational at the individual-level leads to sub-optimal outcomes at the aggregate, or group level. A collective good is something that, if provided, is enjoyed by all, whether or not they participate in its provision. A free rider is someone who enjoys the benefits of the collective good without participating in its provision. Organizations may use incentives to overcome the free- rider problem.

From ‘bads’ to ‘goods’ Prisoner’s dilemma-type models are good at explaining riots, panics, looting Not so good at explaining the provision of collective goods

Limits of Rational Choice model According to the RC model, the only ways to provide collective goods are to Coerce people to contribute (the state) Offer incentives to join Both require organization

Free-Riding in the Wake of Three Mile Island Most serious commercial nuclear accident in US history Potential for release of large amounts of radiation Limited evacuation of “vulnerable populations” in local area No attributed deaths or injury Occurred right after The China Syndrome was released Huge public outcry Middletown PA, 1979,

Social Movement Involvement in the Wake of a Nuclear Accident: Activists and Free Riders in the TMI Area Walsh and Warland Study (1983) Sample Activists (contributors) N = 149 Random sample of local population who opposed TMI but did not participate N = 288 Interviewed all respondents about TMI

How much Free Riding? Lots! Only 12% of those with grievances ever participated or contributed money in the wake of TMI disaster

Why don’t Free Riders participate?

What actually mattered? Background variables Education Pre-accident solidary networks Acquainted with activists Pre-accident ideology Liberal orientation Accident-specific grievances Considered accident a big deal Evacuated