January 26

Outline - January 26

The Problem of Global Commons

"What is common to the greatest number 

has the least care bestowed upon it. 

Everybody thinks chiefly of his own, 

hardly at all of the common interest." 

- Aristotle 

I.    What is a Commons?

•     A commons is an undivided resource or domain that is used by multiple actors for their individual gain

II.    Why are Commons Susceptible to Tragedies?

•     Because the profits from using the commons go exclusively to the individual users

•     While the costs of overuse are shared with the entire community

•     Thus, individuals pursue their self interest by maximizing use of the commons

III.    What is "Free Rider" problem----

•     Is an actor who increases use of the commons while others are limiting their use, thus taking advantage of their restraint

•     The prospect of free riders discourages ecologically responsible behavior by others

IV.    What are the principal global commons?

•     Oceans, Seabed, Fisheries

•     Outer Space (including the geostationary orbit)

•     Antarctica  (map)

•     Atmosphere

•    Earth System Generally ???

V.    How Can a Tragedy be Avoided?

•     Voluntary Restraint

•     Regulatory Regimes

  •         Prohibitions (bans)

  •         Limitations (quotas)

•     Market Mechanisms

•     Partitions (Privatization)

•     Public Enterprise (Socialism)

Individuals locked into the logic of the commons 

are free only to bring on universal ruin; 

once they see the necessity of mutual coercion, 

they become free to pursue other goals." 

- Garrett Hardin

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"Freedom is the recognition of necessity." 

- Quotation Hardin attributes to Hegel