Originally proposed by biologist Garrett Hardin in 1968, the tragedy of the commons refers to the idea that when a group of people share a resource, it will always be exploited because it is in each person’s best interest to take as much as possible before it’s gone.
The concept has been criticized for not in fact describing a commons, but a resource without a shared set of governance rules, particularly within a capitalist system. When the freedom to profit comes above all else, then effective commons management is impossible.
In a profit-driven society, it will always make sense to exploit resources, because those who exploit will reap the benefits, but everyone will share in the negative consequences, particularly those already marginalized by society. For example, when Shell makes $40bn pumping oil wells to sell fossil fuels, the company’s shareholders become even richer, while low-income communities suffer the brunt of consequences of pollution.
While some believe the solution is total state control, Hardin advocated for the extension of private property. Hardin was a white nationalist who was against helping the poor, because they would be able to multiply at the expense of the “abler and more provident.”
However, history shows us that commons have been managed effectively for thousands of years through community management.
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Topic relates to:
Commons & Public Goods Theft of The Commons Self-Governance of The Commons