Współczesne problemy krajów Europy Zachodniej z perspektywy teorii Mancura Olsona

This paper employs the theory of collective action created by the American economist Mancur Olson, to examine the current problems of Western European countries and their causes. The article focuses on economic and political issues, such as economic stagnation, the inability to introduce reforms and the failure of ambitious European integration projects. The study contains an analysis of economic performances of West European countries in the post-war period and attempts to assess the influence of lobby groups on decision making in the European institutions. It is argued that the growing influence of powerful lobby groups and vested interests can account for the declining economic efficiency and inability of political institutions to solve this problem.