Page "Social dilemma" Paragraph 25

Boundary structural solutions modify the social dilemma structure and such strategies are often very effective.

An often studied solution is the establishment of a leader or authority to manage a social dilemma.

Experimental studies on commons dilemmas show that overharvesting groups are more willing to appoint a leader to look after the common resource.

There is a preference for a democratically elected prototypical leader with limited power especially when people ’ s group ties are strong.

When ties are weak, groups prefer a stronger leader with a coercive power base.

The question remains whether authorities can be trusted in governing social dilemmas and field research shows that legitimacy and fair procedures are extremely important in citizen ’ s willingness to accept authorities.

Other research emphasizes a greater motivation for groups to successfully self-organize, without the need for an external authority base, when they do place a high value on the resources in question but, again, before the resources are severely overharvested.

An external " authority " is not presumed to be the solution in these cases, however effective self-organization and collective governance and care for the resource base is.