Rational Calculus Approach to Citizen Mobilization in Local Economic Development

Rational calculus theories center on the fact that, as Carl Jung noted in his observations of folks passing through his psychiatric office, some people process their information cognitively and some process it emotionally. The folks dealt with here are the cognitive processors. That is, there are people whose motivation to mobilize for any purpose is best understood in cognitive terms rather than emotional terms. There has to be a good reason for doing so, rather than an arousal of feelings. In order to mobilize these folks, one needs to appeal to their rational needs rather than their emotive ones.

Expectancy theory addresses the needs of peel whose rational approach focuses on maximizing utility (however defined) in any given situation : "what's in it for me?" For example, these people are often the ones who distinguish between the use value and the exchange value of land.

The theory of collective action deals with problems of mobilizing people for group action and specifically deals with the selective incentives for active participants only, to ensure participation.

The resource mobilization theory takes this thought further and includes an analysis of group leaders in entrepreneurial terms.

Typical of this rational calculus approach to motivating people is the story and work of Albert Hirschmn. He fled Germany in the 1930's and returned after German Unification. In the mean time he wrote a book about his experience of leaving a situation which was intolerable, reflecting on his "exit" his loss of "voice" within Germany after leaving, and the questions of "loyalty" which arise in any exile experience. A chapter in his retrospective book at the end of his career was written after his return to his homeland and balances out some of his observations and reflections on the issue from earlier. He is a classic case of people who, as citizens, address ethical issues with a "rational calculus", and for whom appeals to emotional motivations would have minimal effect.