Commonmore

Commonmore is a neologism used in discussions of collective action and public goods to denote a tendency whereby individuals, organizations, or societies favor options that increase the overall common benefit, even if this comes at a cost to narrow self-interest.

Etymology and scope: The term blends common and more, signaling emphasis on the common good. It is informal and multidisciplinary, without a formal definition in major journals; its earliest documented uses appear in academic blogs and speculative essays in the early 21st century.

Usage and examples: In theory, commonmore refers to strategies or policies that align private incentives with the public good, such as transparent decision processes, incentive designs that reward group outcomes, or distributed power that facilitates cooperative behavior. In behavioral studies, researchers describe participants exhibiting commonmore tendencies when contributed resources yield higher group payoffs, even if individual gains are reduced.

Relation and distinctions: Commonmore relates to concepts like the common good, public goods, and prosocial behavior, but it remains distinct as a descriptive label for a tendency rather than a formal theory. It is typically used to discuss potential institutional designs or normative expectations rather than to assert a universal law.

Reception and limitations: As a nonstandard term, commonmore risks vagueness and misinterpretation. It lacks universal acceptance and formal measurement, which limits its usefulness in rigorous cross-disciplinary analysis.

See also: common good, public goods, game theory, prosocial behavior.