The Mobilizer's Dilemma: Crisis, Empowerment, and Collective Action
Collective action can be problematic for two reasons — we may get little or no additional benefit from our own efforts should we choose to contribute (the “efficacy problem”), yet we will enjoy the benefits of others' efforts even if we fail to contribute (the “free-rider problem”). Movement mo...
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description | Collective action can be problematic for two reasons — we may get little or no additional benefit from our own efforts should we choose to contribute (the “efficacy problem”), yet we will enjoy the benefits of others' efforts even if we fail to contribute (the “free-rider problem”). Movement mobilizers address the free-rider problem by issuing crisis messages that call attention to impending disaster and the urgent need for action. These messages discourage free riding by making clear that soon there may be no more public resources to enjoy for free. Mobilizers address the efficacy problem by issuing empowerment messages that emphasize the fact that positive change is possible and is, in fact, happening. Crisis messages are especially prominent in the “tragedy of the commons” because of the accelerating impact of overconsumption. The “mobilizer's dilemma” is that crisis messages may actually backfire by undermining belief in the ability to “make a difference,” while empowerment messages affirm efficacy but encourage free riding. We tested the hypothesized effects of crisis and empowerment messages under controlled conditions in the laboratory. In two separate experiments, members of a large group were confronted with a resource depletion problem under conditions of uncertainty. We manipulated the content of persuasive messages and measured the effect on self-restraint in harvesting the commons. The results confirmed the mobilizers dilemma and pointed to a way out. |
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Movement mobilizers address the free-rider problem by issuing crisis messages that call attention to impending disaster and the urgent need for action. These messages discourage free riding by making clear that soon there may be no more public resources to enjoy for free. Mobilizers address the efficacy problem by issuing empowerment messages that emphasize the fact that positive change is possible and is, in fact, happening. Crisis messages are especially prominent in the “tragedy of the commons” because of the accelerating impact of overconsumption. The “mobilizer's dilemma” is that crisis messages may actually backfire by undermining belief in the ability to “make a difference,” while empowerment messages affirm efficacy but encourage free riding. We tested the hypothesized effects of crisis and empowerment messages under controlled conditions in the laboratory. In two separate experiments, members of a large group were confronted with a resource depletion problem under conditions of uncertainty. We manipulated the content of persuasive messages and measured the effect on self-restraint in harvesting the commons. The results confirmed the mobilizers dilemma and pointed to a way out.</description><identifier>ISSN: 0037-7732</identifier><identifier>EISSN: 1534-7605</identifier><identifier>DOI: 10.1353/sof.2003.0047</identifier><identifier>CODEN: SOFOAP</identifier><language>eng</language><publisher>Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press</publisher><subject>Beliefs ; Collective Action ; Common lands ; Communities ; Conservation ; Control groups ; Crises ; Crisis ; Crisis intervention ; Efficacy ; Empowerment ; Environmental conservation ; Environmental movement ; Environmentalism ; Experiments ; Free rider effect ; Free riding ; Game Theory ; Games theory ; Group identity ; Interpersonal relationships. Groups. Leadership ; Messages ; Mobilization ; Personal empowerment ; Persuasion ; Public goods ; Social aspects ; Social identity ; Social mobilization ; Social psychology ; Sociology ; Uncertainty</subject><ispartof>Social forces, 2003-03, Vol.81 (3), p.979-998</ispartof><rights>Copyright 2003 The University of North Carolina Press</rights><rights>Copyright © 2003 The University of North Carolina Press 2003</rights><rights>Copyright © 2003 The University of North Carolina Press.</rights><rights>2004 INIST-CNRS</rights><rights>COPYRIGHT 2003 Oxford University Press</rights><rights>Copyright University of North Carolina Press Mar 2003</rights><lds50>peer_reviewed</lds50><woscitedreferencessubscribed>false</woscitedreferencessubscribed><citedby>FETCH-LOGICAL-c766t-535dcf62414189ffe503ebfcffb70ccd958d1675aaa870393c03947eafa65b343</citedby></display><links><openurl>$$Topenurl_article</openurl><openurlfulltext>$$Topenurlfull_article</openurlfulltext><thumbnail>$$Tsyndetics_thumb_exl</thumbnail><linktopdf>$$Uhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/3598183$$EPDF$$P50$$Gjstor$$H</linktopdf><linktohtml>$$Uhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/3598183$$EHTML$$P50$$Gjstor$$H</linktohtml><link.rule.ids>314,780,784,803,12845,27344,27924,27925,31000,33774,33775,58017,58250</link.rule.ids><backlink>$$Uhttp://pascal-francis.inist.fr/vibad/index.php?action=getRecordDetail&idt=14710770$$DView record in Pascal Francis$$Hfree_for_read</backlink></links><search><creatorcontrib>Vasi, Ion Bogdan</creatorcontrib><creatorcontrib>Macy, Michael</creatorcontrib><title>The Mobilizer's Dilemma: Crisis, Empowerment, and Collective Action</title><title>Social forces</title><addtitle>Social Forces</addtitle><addtitle>Social Forces</addtitle><description>Collective action can be problematic for two reasons — we may get little or no additional benefit from our own efforts should we choose to contribute (the “efficacy problem”), yet we will enjoy the benefits of others' efforts even if we fail to contribute (the “free-rider problem”). Movement mobilizers address the free-rider problem by issuing crisis messages that call attention to impending disaster and the urgent need for action. These messages discourage free riding by making clear that soon there may be no more public resources to enjoy for free. Mobilizers address the efficacy problem by issuing empowerment messages that emphasize the fact that positive change is possible and is, in fact, happening. Crisis messages are especially prominent in the “tragedy of the commons” because of the accelerating impact of overconsumption. The “mobilizer's dilemma” is that crisis messages may actually backfire by undermining belief in the ability to “make a difference,” while empowerment messages affirm efficacy but encourage free riding. We tested the hypothesized effects of crisis and empowerment messages under controlled conditions in the laboratory. In two separate experiments, members of a large group were confronted with a resource depletion problem under conditions of uncertainty. We manipulated the content of persuasive messages and measured the effect on self-restraint in harvesting the commons. The results confirmed the mobilizers dilemma and pointed to a way out.</description><subject>Beliefs</subject><subject>Collective Action</subject><subject>Common lands</subject><subject>Communities</subject><subject>Conservation</subject><subject>Control groups</subject><subject>Crises</subject><subject>Crisis</subject><subject>Crisis intervention</subject><subject>Efficacy</subject><subject>Empowerment</subject><subject>Environmental conservation</subject><subject>Environmental movement</subject><subject>Environmentalism</subject><subject>Experiments</subject><subject>Free rider effect</subject><subject>Free riding</subject><subject>Game Theory</subject><subject>Games theory</subject><subject>Group identity</subject><subject>Interpersonal relationships. Groups. Leadership</subject><subject>Messages</subject><subject>Mobilization</subject><subject>Personal empowerment</subject><subject>Persuasion</subject><subject>Public goods</subject><subject>Social aspects</subject><subject>Social identity</subject><subject>Social mobilization</subject><subject>Social psychology</subject><subject>Sociology</subject><subject>Uncertainty</subject><issn>0037-7732</issn><issn>1534-7605</issn><fulltext>true</fulltext><rsrctype>article</rsrctype><creationdate>2003</creationdate><recordtype>article</recordtype><sourceid>7UB</sourceid><sourceid>8G5</sourceid><sourceid>ABUWG</sourceid><sourceid>AFKRA</sourceid><sourceid>AIMQZ</sourceid><sourceid>AZQEC</sourceid><sourceid>BEC</sourceid><sourceid>BENPR</sourceid><sourceid>BHHNA</sourceid><sourceid>CCPQU</sourceid><sourceid>DWQXO</sourceid><sourceid>GNUQQ</sourceid><sourceid>GUQSH</sourceid><sourceid>M2O</sourceid><sourceid>7QJ</sourceid><recordid>eNqNk8uP0zAQxiMEEqVw5MYhAvGSNmUc23HCrYR9QaFa7YIQF8t17eKSxMVOeP31OLRqtahiV5Y8kv2b0Yy-b6LoPoIRwhS_8FaPUgA8AiDsRjRAFJOEZUBvRoPwzBLGcHo7uuP9EgAQIfkgKi--qPidnZnK_FbuqY9fm0rVtXgZl8544w_iw3plfyhXq6Y9iEUzj0tbVUq25ruKxyHY5m50S4vKq3ubOIw-HB1elCfJZHp8Wo4niWRZ1iYU07nUWUoQQXmhtaKA1UxLrWcMpJwXNJ-jjFEhRM4AF1iGizAltMjoDBM8jJ6s666c_dYp3_LaeKmqSjTKdp5nAHlOC3QlSEP5NC3gShDnhKQkpQF8-A-4tJ1rwrQ8FCoQ6TseRo_W0EJUiptG29YJ2VfkYwSQQopJFqhkD7VQjXKiso3SQYDL_GgPH85c1UbuTXh-KSEwrfrZLkTnPT89f399dvrx2mx-PPnfkBtW9tZZKB5sUU738tJZ753SfOVMLdwvjoD35ubB3Lw3N-_NHfjHGz2El6LSTjTS-F0SYQjYX0nwVrdlMG3debWTjkBeIH7e70m_JoAxFKzou3m2zrLd6spGHqzRpW-t28KYFjnK8W4u48P822_hvvKMYUb5yafP_OysfHs0gTf8Ff4DsMQl2A</recordid><startdate>20030301</startdate><enddate>20030301</enddate><creator>Vasi, Ion Bogdan</creator><creator>Macy, Michael</creator><general>The University of North Carolina Press</general><general>University of North Carolina Press</general><general>Oxford University Press</general><scope>BSCLL</scope><scope>IQODW</scope><scope>AAYXX</scope><scope>CITATION</scope><scope>8GL</scope><scope>IOV</scope><scope>ISN</scope><scope>0-V</scope><scope>3V.</scope><scope>7U4</scope><scope>7UB</scope><scope>7X7</scope><scope>7XB</scope><scope>88B</scope><scope>88E</scope><scope>88F</scope><scope>88G</scope><scope>88J</scope><scope>8AM</scope><scope>8BJ</scope><scope>8FI</scope><scope>8FJ</scope><scope>8FK</scope><scope>8G5</scope><scope>ABUWG</scope><scope>AFKRA</scope><scope>AIMQZ</scope><scope>ALSLI</scope><scope>AZQEC</scope><scope>BEC</scope><scope>BENPR</scope><scope>BGRYB</scope><scope>BHHNA</scope><scope>CCPQU</scope><scope>CJNVE</scope><scope>DPSOV</scope><scope>DWI</scope><scope>DWQXO</scope><scope>FQK</scope><scope>FYUFA</scope><scope>GHDGH</scope><scope>GNUQQ</scope><scope>GUQSH</scope><scope>HEHIP</scope><scope>JBE</scope><scope>K7.</scope><scope>K9.</scope><scope>KC-</scope><scope>LIQON</scope><scope>M0O</scope><scope>M0P</scope><scope>M0S</scope><scope>M1P</scope><scope>M1Q</scope><scope>M2L</scope><scope>M2M</scope><scope>M2O</scope><scope>M2R</scope><scope>M2S</scope><scope>MBDVC</scope><scope>PQEDU</scope><scope>PQEST</scope><scope>PQQKQ</scope><scope>PQUKI</scope><scope>PRINS</scope><scope>PSYQQ</scope><scope>Q9U</scope><scope>S0X</scope><scope>WZK</scope><scope>7QJ</scope></search><sort><creationdate>20030301</creationdate><title>The Mobilizer's Dilemma: Crisis, Empowerment, and Collective Action</title><author>Vasi, Ion Bogdan ; Macy, Michael</author></sort><facets><frbrtype>5</frbrtype><frbrgroupid>cdi_FETCH-LOGICAL-c766t-535dcf62414189ffe503ebfcffb70ccd958d1675aaa870393c03947eafa65b343</frbrgroupid><rsrctype>articles</rsrctype><prefilter>articles</prefilter><language>eng</language><creationdate>2003</creationdate><topic>Beliefs</topic><topic>Collective Action</topic><topic>Common lands</topic><topic>Communities</topic><topic>Conservation</topic><topic>Control groups</topic><topic>Crises</topic><topic>Crisis</topic><topic>Crisis intervention</topic><topic>Efficacy</topic><topic>Empowerment</topic><topic>Environmental conservation</topic><topic>Environmental movement</topic><topic>Environmentalism</topic><topic>Experiments</topic><topic>Free rider effect</topic><topic>Free riding</topic><topic>Game Theory</topic><topic>Games theory</topic><topic>Group identity</topic><topic>Interpersonal relationships. 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Movement mobilizers address the free-rider problem by issuing crisis messages that call attention to impending disaster and the urgent need for action. These messages discourage free riding by making clear that soon there may be no more public resources to enjoy for free. Mobilizers address the efficacy problem by issuing empowerment messages that emphasize the fact that positive change is possible and is, in fact, happening. Crisis messages are especially prominent in the “tragedy of the commons” because of the accelerating impact of overconsumption. The “mobilizer's dilemma” is that crisis messages may actually backfire by undermining belief in the ability to “make a difference,” while empowerment messages affirm efficacy but encourage free riding. We tested the hypothesized effects of crisis and empowerment messages under controlled conditions in the laboratory. In two separate experiments, members of a large group were confronted with a resource depletion problem under conditions of uncertainty. We manipulated the content of persuasive messages and measured the effect on self-restraint in harvesting the commons. The results confirmed the mobilizers dilemma and pointed to a way out.</abstract><cop>Chapel Hill, NC</cop><pub>The University of North Carolina Press</pub><doi>10.1353/sof.2003.0047</doi><tpages>20</tpages></addata></record> |
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subjects | Beliefs Collective Action Common lands Communities Conservation Control groups Crises Crisis Crisis intervention Efficacy Empowerment Environmental conservation Environmental movement Environmentalism Experiments Free rider effect Free riding Game Theory Games theory Group identity Interpersonal relationships. Groups. Leadership Messages Mobilization Personal empowerment Persuasion Public goods Social aspects Social identity Social mobilization Social psychology Sociology Uncertainty |
title | The Mobilizer's Dilemma: Crisis, Empowerment, and Collective Action |
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