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Intersubjective Meaning and Collective Action in 'Fragile' Societies: Theory, Evidence and Policy Implications

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Type: Working Paper
Author: Gauri, Varun; Woolcock, Michael; Desai, Deval
Date: 2011
Agency: World Bank, Washington, DC
Series: Policy Research Working Papers, no. 5707
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10535/7902
Sector: Social Organization
Region:
Subject(s): culture--policy
development
population--policy
poverty alleviation
social behavior
Abstract: "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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