When dealing with collective phenomena, rational choice theories (RCT) focus mainly
on the collective good problem. However, the question of how a collective good
becomes a shared concern has not been considered up to now. This article
demonstrates theoretical possibilities to answer this question within the frame of
reference of RCT. It is argued that issues become shared ones if actors adapt
socially shared situational definitions and valuations (e.g. ideologies). This can
be understood as a rational choice between several options that provide individual
benefits. Such an adaptation occurs only under particular circumstances that can be
derived from RCT. At the same time, rational actors influence and shape situational
definitions and valuations during the process of adapting them.
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