Tragedy of the Commons

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Date

2008

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract

"The 'tragedy of the commons' arises when it is difficult and costly to exclude potential users from common-pool resources that yield finite flows of benefits, as a result of which those resources will be exhausted by rational, utility-maximizing individuals rather than conserved for the benefit of all. Pessimism about the possibility of users voluntarily cooperating to prevent overuse has led to widespread central control of common-pool resources. But such control has itself frequently resulted in resource overuse. In practice, especially where they can communicate, users often develop rules that limit resource use and conserve resources."

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Keywords

collective action, social dilemmas, tragedy of the commons, common pool resources, free riding, open access

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