On affine actions of Lie groups (Q1384602)

In the theory of transformation groups, smooth actions of some Lie groups are expected to be rigid (see, e.g. [\textit{G. D'Ambra} and \textit{M. Gromov}, Lectures on transformation groups: Geometry and dynamics, Proc. Conf., Cambridge/MA (USA) 1990, Surv. Differ. Geom., Suppl. J. Diff. Geom. 1, 19-111 (1991; Zbl 0752.57017; Zbl 0797.53057)], \textit{M. Gromov} [Rigid transformation groups, Géometrie différentielle, Colloq. Géom. Phys., Paris/Fr. 1986, Trav. Cours 33, 65-139 (1988; Zbl 0652.53023)], \textit{R. J. Zimmer} [Invent. Math. 83, 411-424 (1986; Zbl 0591.53026)], and \textit{R. J. Zimmer} [Ergodic theory and semisimple groups, Monogr. Math. 81 (1984; Zbl 0571.58015)]. Rigidity questions are answered via ergodic and analytical approaches. In the paper under review, the author applies some geometrical and algebraic methods to answer some rigidity questions about the geometry and topology of foliation leaves. He also deals with the fundamental question what conditions ensure that the action is everywhere locally free. The results concern mainly actions of semi-simple Lie groups preserving a pseudo-Riemannian or an unimodular affine structure on a compact manifold.