Intersubjective Meaning and Collective Action in ‘Fragile’ Societies : Theory, Evidence and Policy Implications
The capacity to act collectively is not just a matter of groups sharing interests, incentives and values (or being sufficiently small), as standard economic theory predicts, but a prior and shared understanding of the constituent elements of proble...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Policy Research Working Paper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2012
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20110623174557 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3471 |
| Summary: | The capacity to act collectively is not
just a matter of groups sharing interests, incentives and
values (or being sufficiently small), as standard economic
theory predicts, but a prior and shared understanding of the
constituent elements of problem(s) and possible solutions.
From this standpoint, the failure to act collectively can
stem at least in part from relevant groups failing to
ascribe a common intersubjective meaning to situations,
processes and events. Though this is a general phenomenon,
it is particularly salient in countries characterized by
societal fragility and endemic conflict. We develop a
conceptual account of intersubjective meanings, explain its
relevance to development practice and research, and examine
its implications for development work related to building
the rule of law and managing common pool resources. |
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