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social science subjects > economics > economic concepts > tragedy of the commons

Preferred term

tragedy of the commons  

Definition

  • The “tragedy of the commons” describes a social dilemma in which rational human behavior in using a resource as an unmanaged commons leads to overuse and, consequentially, to the destruction of that resource. It has proven a useful concept for understanding how resources are ruined not by some outside forces but by the inherent behavior that can be expected whenever a number of individuals own a scarce resource in common. [Source: Green Politics: An A-to-Z Guide; Tragedy of the Commons]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/tragedy_of_the_commons

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