In which of the following cases can the tragedy of the commons occur? I.Cattle grazing on private ranches.
II.Catching lobsters off the coast of Florida.
III.Raising salmon on salmon farms.
IV.Using legal services provided by the courts.
A)I only
B)II only
C)II and III only
D)I and IV only
E)I and II only

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tragedy of the commons occurs in situations where individuals, acting independently and rationally according to each one's self-interest, behave contrary to the whole group's long-term best interests by depleting a common resource. Catching lobsters off the coast of Florida is an example of this, as the ocean is a common resource that can be over-exploited. The other options involve private ownership or controlled access (private ranches, salmon farms) or a service that does not deplete a shared resource (legal services), and thus do not typically lead to a tragedy of the commons.

In Which of the Following Cases Can the Tragedy of the Commons