The tragedy of the commons is the concept that, if many people enjoy unfettered access to a finite, valuable resource, such as a pasture, they will tend to overuse it and may end up destroying its value …

We may well call it "the tragedy of the commons," using the word "tragedy" as the philosopher Whitehead used it (7): "The essence of dramatic tragedy is not unhappiness. It resides in the …

Feb 6, 2019 · The tragedy of the commons refers to a situation in which individuals with access to a public resource—also called a common—act in their own interest and, in doing so, ultimately deplete …

Aug 23, 2025 · Explore how the tragedy of the commons leads to resource depletion, overconsumption issues, and discover strategies for prevention in economics.

Jan 21, 2026 · Tragedy of the commons, concept highlighting the conflict between individual and collective rationality. The idea of the tragedy of the commons was made popular by the American …

Sep 5, 2021 · First posited in 1968 by American ecologist Garret Hardin, the Tragedy of the Commons describes a situation where shared environmental resources are overused and exploited, and …

1 day ago · The common view is that commons were and are a “tragedy” because, for lack of private property, people raced to get their share and overgrazed, overfished, drained aquifers, and depleted …

In summary, "The Tragedy of the Commons" by Garrett Hardin presents a thought-provoking analysis of the challenges arising from the unregulated exploitation of shared resources.

An unmanaged commons in a world of limited material wealth and unlimited desires inevitably ends in ruin. Inevitability justifies the epithet “tragedy,” which I introduced in 1968. Whenever a distribution …

Feb 13, 2026 · Explore the Tragedy of the Commons: understand how self-interest can harm shared resources in economics, environment, and society.