Acting together,Contributing together

Abstract

Collective action typically takes one of two strategically distinct forms. One form is essentially acting together, as in a mob, in coordination on some purpose, which may not be defined in detail or readily changed. The other is contributing together in cooperation or exchange to generate resources that then may be used for collective purposes (although they may also be misused). Historically, much of the most important collective action was acting together; much of recent reformist politics in Western nations has been based in contributing together. There seem also to be distinctive differences across groups, especially across economic classes, in the forms of collective action they adopt. Most obviously, acting together is the resort of those, such as the poor and the young, who lack resources for contributing together. The rise of contributing together has accompanied the rise of a large and prosperous middle class.