Contents

Summary

• Mancur Olson explained in The Logic of Collective Action (1965) that the free rider problem and the paradox of participation discourage rational consumers from taking collective action to oppose policies that disadvantage them.


• The lack of grassroots opposition to ‘nanny state’ policies from vapers, gamblers, drinkers, etc. seems to bear out this analysis.


• Proponents of government paternalism have overcome the problems Olson identified by securing funding from state agencies or by offering selective incentives to their supporters.


• Since consumers are unlikely to mobilise to fight for collective benefits, a grassroots movement opposing lifestyle regulation must rely on selective benefits, but this avenue has not been adequately explored by policy entrepreneurs.


• This paper outlines what such a grassroots organisation would look like and how it could be established.

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About the Author

Dr Christopher Snowdon is the Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs. He is a regular contributor to The Spectator, The Telegraph and The Critic and often appears on TV and radio discussing lifestyle regulation and policy-based evidence. He is the editor of the Nanny State Index and the author of six books: Polemics (2020), Killjoys (2017), Selfishness, Greed and Capitalism (2015), The Art of Suppression (2011), The Spirit Level Delusion (2010) and Velvet Glove, Iron Fist (2009). He has a PhD in economics from the University of Buckingham.