HOW BUMBLE-BEES FLY - ACCOUNTING FOR PUBLIC-INTEREST PARTICIPATION

This paper confirms the existence of public interest groups as a theor etical puzzle for an Olson type (economicaily-driven) rational choice explanation. it systematically reviews different theoretical approache s that challenge this appearance of paradox. The paper also introduces some British survey data. It concludes that rational choice analysis must subsume non-material incentives, but shows that discussions predi cated on conceptions of rationality other than that used by Olson do n ot imply that participation is a problem to be explained. It also poin ts to the importance of group activity in shaping the preferences of p otential members and in stimulating membership.