What term refers to issues that arise when individuals prioritize their own needs over the collective good?

The term that refers to issues arising when individuals prioritize their own needs over the collective good is Collective Action problems. These problems occur in situations where individuals, despite knowing that their collective interests are best served by cooperation, act in their self-interest instead. This can lead to suboptimal outcomes for the group as a whole.

Collective Action problems highlight the tension between individual incentives and the well-being of the community. For instance, in cases like environmental protection or public goods provision, individuals might be tempted to free-ride on the efforts of others while not contributing themselves, ultimately undermining group welfare.

While the other terms represent important concepts in social and political theory, they do not encapsulate the essence of individuals prioritizing personal benefit over the group's needs. Minority Rights issues focus on the protection of less dominant groups within a society. Public Goods dilemmas involve challenges associated with providing goods that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous. Social Contract failures discuss situations where the agreements expected to benefit all parties break down, often due to a lack of trust or accountability among individuals. Collective Action problems specifically address the conflict between individual rationality and collective benefit, making it the most fitting answer.