Tragedy
of the Commons
by Mary Appophia
The tragedy of the commons
refers to a dilemma that arises when many people acting individually for their
own self interest unknowingly deplete a common resource, and the loss
eventually has to be shared by the entire community/ everyone.
The ‘commons’ refers to
the common resource which belongs to the society. The resource is usually
unregulated and it belongs to the entire group, as a result, everyone has an
equal right to use it. Resources under
risk include forests, oceans, fish, environment, non-renewable resources etc.
For instance
everyone is
free to visit Indian Ocean to satisfy their own interests_ swimming,
sunbathing, fishing etc. Common consequences could be that some people
may dump
papers and waste in the water, while fishermen acting individually may
over fish. The end result is that the water becomes polluted and over
fishing occurs, and everyone else has to share in the consequences.
Another example is in car ownership. Everyone has the right to
own a car, eventually with more people owning personal cars, then there is
increased environmental and social problems, including carbon emissions, pollution,
accidents, etc.
In the 1800’s when Europe
used communal land ownership system, herders were allowed to stock animals. If
one individual felt a need to include more animals, then they were free to do
so. With time some people felt the need to add more animals for increased
production. The land in effect became more congested since livestock were
increasing and the land area remaining the same. Consequently overgrazing
occurred, leading to land degradation, soil erosion and other negative
environmental effects. Whereas one farmer enjoyed the increased yields, the
entire community was sharing in the depletion of the common.
Garrett Hardin in his
article published in 1968 titled ‘The tragedy of the Commons’ mentions some
factors that contribute to ‘The tragedy of the Commons’. These include systems
that advocate for communal ownership of property and reduce the chances of the
resource being privatized. When something does not belong to someone in
particular chances of it being misused are on the rise. Individuals acting on
rational self-interest according to Hardin also contribute to the tragedy of
the commons. Because if all members in a group used common resources for their
own gain and with no regard for others, all resources would still eventually be
depleted. Increased human population, poverty, pollution, are just other examples
that lead to ‘The tragedy of the commons’.
The tragedy of the commons
has however faced some rejections. Some scholars claim that privatizing
resources or putting them under international regulation as a way of reducing
their depletion, may put them even at a higher risk since most international
organizations act selfishly. Also, they state that resources are better placed
in the hands of the community, arguing that most of the best managed resources
are managed by the community itself.
Whereas this might be
true, we have seen situations where the community unknowingly destroys the
resource while trying to improve their lifestyle.
This tragedy though needs
not occur. Regulations through laws and policies could be used to manage the
resource, including good implementation of those laws/policies.
A good law such as one
controlling the type of fishing nets that could be used to prevent fishing of
small fishes and other small sea animals.
Education would also play
a vital role in ensuring people are aware of their consequences. Traveling in a
matatu/ bus, we often see an individual throw plastic bottles/ plastic papers
out the window. Another matatu passes, and someone else does the same. With
time, we have so many plastic papers and bottles lying along roadsides. In the
end, the commons which in this case is the environment is destroyed.
Individuals who share a
common resource could also work hand in hand to protect it, for their mutual
benefit.
