an analysis of coalition formation processes that assumes that (a) all members who control sufficient resources to turn a winning coalition into a losing one or a losing coalition into a winning one are equal in terms of power; and (b) individuals’ expectations concerning the division of the coalition’s payoff will conform to an equity norm (see equity theory), but one based on power rather than resources. This theory predicts that the most likely coalition to form in a group will be one that wins but comprises the individuals with the smallest amounts of power consistent with this outcome. Compare minimum resource theory.