This concept was articulated to some extent by David Hume, who noted that it is easier for two people to work together on a problem than for hundreds of people to work together.
A clear explanation of this problem was provided by Mancur Olson, who provided the solution of byproduct theory and built upon earlier works by Paul Samuelson. Ronald Coase wrote that this problem can be overcome in situations with low transaction costs, and rational choice theory attempts to overcome it with proper incentives. This concept was articulated to some extent by David Hume, who noted that it is easier for two people to work together on a problem than for hundreds of people to work together. It generally applies to goods that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, otherwise known as public goods. Name this problem in which individuals use more of a resource than they pay for.
A clear explanation of this problem was provided by Mancur Olson, who provided the solution of byproduct theory and built upon earlier works by Paul Samuelson.
free rider problem [prompt on collective inaction or self-interest]