A comprehensive insight into Mancur Olson's work as well as extensions and applications of his work. Chapters cover three main areas: Collective Action, Institutional Sclerosis and Market-Augmenting Government. Some chapters directly assess Olson`s contributions, focusing on distinguishing what was original in his works from what was already in the literature, and assess his impact on the fields of public economics and economic history. Other chapters present new tests and frequently extend his work. Each of the chapters is a new piece of scholarship inspired by and intended to honor Mancur Olson, and extend his influence to another generation of Collective Choice scholars and researchers.

Inhalt

1 On the Shoulders of a Giant: The Legacy of Mancur Olson.- I Collective Action.- 2 Precursors of Mancur Olson.- 3 Warr Neutrality and the Natural Egalitarianism of Voluntary Public Good Provision.- 4 Collective Silence and Individual Voice: The Logic of Information Games.- 5 The Collective Action Problems of Political Consolidation: Evidence from Poland.- II Institutional Sclerosis.- 6 An Empirical Analysis of Institutional Sclerosis and Managerial Incentives: The Case of Motor Carrier Deregulation.- 7 Developing the Canadian Government's Bargaining Position on the Constitution, June-July, 1980: An Application of Olson's Argument from The Rise and Decline of Nations.- 8 Absolute and Relative Effects of Interest Groups on the Economy.- 9 If I Had a Hammer: Mancur Olson as an Economic Historian.- III Market Augmenting Government.- 10 Social Polarization, Political Institutions, and Country Creditworthiness.- 11 The International Campaign against Corruption: An Institutionalist Perspective.- 12 The Public Promotion of Private Interest (Groups).- 13 Macroeconomic Policy and Collective Action.- References.- List of Contributors.- Author Index.