Tragedy of the Commons

The Tragedy of the Commons is a phrase used to refer to the conflict for resources between individual interests and the common good (i.e., society).

The term was made popular by Hardin in his 1968 essay The Tragedy of the Commons.

Tragedy of the CommonsIn a nutshell, the Tragedy of the Commons suggests that free access and unrestricted demand for a finite resource ultimately dooms the resource through its over-exploitation. This occurs because the benefits of exploitation accrue to individuals who are motivated to maximize his or her use of the resource, while the costs of exploitation are distributed between all those to whom the resource is available. That is, the individual benefits while the group pays for the use, extraction and consequences.

Tragedy of the CommonsYour textbook provides an example. Individuals use communally-owned land for the grazing of cattle. The cattle are owned privately by the individuals.

The individual benefits by increasing the size of her/his herd; yet, the cost of that action (e.g., impact of grazing) is borne by all members of the community. The individual bears little cost with maximum return. Individuals overuse the resource until it is depleted.

Hardin suggested. “Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all.”

Tragedy of the Commons

Hardin was concerned mostly with human population growth, finite or limited natural resources, as well as environmental degradation.

He also focused on problems that do not have a technical solution. In other words, he emphasizes human values and morality.

Hardin concludes that there is no foreseeable technical solution to increasing both human populations and their standard of living on a finite planet.

Tragedy of the Commons

For solutions, Hardin offers ideas such as privatization, polluter-pays and regulation.

Why? Hardin argues against the reliance on conscience as a means of policing commons. Morals and conscience would favour selfish individuals over those more far-sighted (i.e., people act for own self-interest).

Tragedy of the CommonsThe Tragedy of the Commons is often used proponents of free trade and market-based strategies.

The example is a toll-road (ETR407) versus a government-maintained road (Highway 401). The 401 is congested, while ERT407 has less traffic. If roads were privately owned, owners would charge tolls and people would take the toll into account in deciding whether to use them. Owners of private roads would engage in peak-load pricing (i.e., charging higher prices during times of peak demand and lower prices at other times). When governments own roads financed with tax dollars, tolls are not normally charged. The government makes roads into a commons. The result is congestion.

Tragedy of the Commons

Now, it becomes tricky…or interesting…

What about human rights and the family? The Universal Declaration of Human Rights describes the family as the natural and fundamental unit of society. Thus, it follows that any choice and decision with regard to the size of the family must rest with the family. The decision cannot be made by anyone else. The individual benefits from an increased family; yet, the costs of more people if borne by everyone.

Knowing the prediction of the Tragedy of the Commons, can we deny the right to choice?