POWER, STATUS, AND COLLECTIVE ACTION: DEVELOPING FUNDAMENTAL THEORIES TO ADDRESS A SUBSTANTIVE PROBLEM

Abstract

We develop elements of Network Exchange and Expectation States Theories to explain the relationship between power and status. While power and status are highly correlated, demonstrating that power can be used to attain high status has proven difficult, perhaps because negative reactions to power use limit power users’ influence. We propose three ways to reduce negative reactions to power use. One of them, philanthropy, suggests a solution to the “free-rider” problem in collective action. If philanthropic contributions increase status, then contributing to a public good may also. Thus, status attainment may be an incentive motivating public goods contributions.

Citation

Lovaglia, M.J., Willer, R. and Troyer, L. (2003), "POWER, STATUS, AND COLLECTIVE ACTION: DEVELOPING FUNDAMENTAL THEORIES TO ADDRESS A SUBSTANTIVE PROBLEM", Thye, S.R. and Skvoretz, J. (Ed.) Power and Status (Advances in Group Processes, Vol. 20), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 105-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0882-6145(03)20004-7