In which of the following cases does the tragedy of the commons occur?
I. Cattle grazing on private pastures
II. Catching Bluefin Tuna in the Atlantic Ocean
III. Raising salmon on salmon farms
IV. Using legal services provided by the courts

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tragedy of the commons occurs when individuals, acting independently and rationally according to each's self-interest, behave contrary to the whole group's long-term best interests by depleting a common resource. This is seen in case II with Bluefin Tuna in the Atlantic Ocean, where the fish are a common resource that can be overfished. Cases I, III, and IV involve private pastures, farmed salmon, and services with controlled access, respectively, which do not fit the tragedy of the commons scenario.

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