Network Collective Action

Collective action asks a fundamental question in social science: How do sets of actorschoose courses of action and work together to achieve desired outcomes, often inopposition to other coalitions? Psychological and economic rationality explanations areincomplete in emphasizing the mental decision processes of individuals. Collectiveaction must be understood at the level analysis of interpersonal and interorganizationalrelations. Social network theories and methods provide optimal frameworks forexplaining collective action in a variety of settings. This book reviews theories andempirical research on collective action in several substantive areas, demonstrates howagent-based models can analyze collective action networks (pandemics, riots, socialmovements, insurrections, insurgencies), and concludes with speculations about futureresearch directions.