The "tragedy of the commons" refers to the situation in which individuals attempt to maximize their use of ______ without regard to their degradation or depletion.
A) pure private goods
B) toll goods
C) common pool resources
D) pure public goods

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tragedy of the commons refers specifically to common pool resources, resources that are owned by no one and thus available to everyone. The problem arises when individuals attempt to maximize their use of these resources without regard for their finite nature, resulting in overuse and degradation of the resource. A is incorrect because pure private goods are owned and available only to individual or group, and there is no issue of degradation or depletion. B is incorrect because toll goods, like highways, are managed by the government or private entities and there are mechanisms to regulate access and usage. D is incorrect because pure public goods, like national defense, are provided by the government and available to everyone, but their provision is not subject to the same issues of overuse and depletion.

The "Tragedy of the Commons" Refers to the Situation in Which