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Rational Choice in Collective Protests

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  • ANTHONY R. OBERSCHALL

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Abstract

A rational choice (RC) formulation of value-expectancy theory of participation in collective protests is described and applied to East German popular protests against the Communist regime in 1989. The heart of the RC model is a production function for collective good attainment, an assurance process that overcomes free rider tendencies and strategic interaction based on expectations.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony R. Oberschall, 1994. "Rational Choice in Collective Protests," Rationality and Society, , vol. 6(1), pages 79-100, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:6:y:1994:i:1:p:79-100
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463194006001006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Finkel, Steven E. & Muller, Edward N. & Opp, Karl-Dieter, 1989. "Personal Influence, Collective Rationality, and Mass Political Action," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 83(3), pages 885-903, September.
    2. Muller, Edward N. & Opp, Karl-Dieter, 1986. "Rational Choice and Rebellious Collective Action," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 80(2), pages 471-487, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Guillaume Cheikbossian, 2021. "Group cooperation against a hegemon," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 33(1), pages 25-55, January.
    2. Juan A. Correa & Raúl Morales & Francisco Parro, 2018. "The Effects of Protests on Agents’ Expectations: Evidence from Students’ Demonstrations in Chile," The Developing Economies, Institute of Developing Economies, vol. 56(3), pages 221-235, September.
    3. Károly Takács, 2001. "Structural Embeddedness and Intergroup Conflict," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 45(6), pages 743-769, December.
    4. Bonnier, Evelina & Poulsen, Jonas & Rogall, Thorsten & Stryjan, Miri, 2020. "Preparing for genocide: Quasi-experimental evidence from Rwanda," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    5. Anselm Hager & Lukas Hensel & Johannes Hermle & Christopher Roth, 2019. "Strategic Interdependence in Political Movements and Countermovements," CESifo Working Paper Series 7790, CESifo.
    6. Oliver Engist & Felix Schafmeister, 2022. "Do political protests mobilize voters? Evidence from the Black Lives Matter protests," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 193(3), pages 293-313, December.
    7. Peter Kurrild-Klitgaard, 2013. "It’s the weather, stupid! Individual participation in collective May Day demonstrations," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 155(3), pages 251-271, June.
    8. Takács, Károly & Janky, Béla, 2007. "Smiling contributions: Social control in a public goods game with network decline," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 378(1), pages 76-82.
    9. Min Zhou & Hanning Wang, 2018. "The role of rationality in motivating participation in social movements: The case of anti-Japanese demonstrations in China," Rationality and Society, , vol. 30(1), pages 155-186, February.
    10. Ravi Bhavnani & Michael Ross, 2003. "Announcement, Credibility, and Turnout in Popular Rebellions," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 47(3), pages 340-366, June.

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