A neighborhood uses well water, and no individual family has to pay for the water they consume. Thus, each family waters their grass excessively and doesn't bother to conserve water, and the well runs dry. This is an example of which of the following?
A)the tragedy of the commons
B)the Prisoner's Dilemma
C)the chicken game
D)the overabundance problem

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario described is an example of the tragedy of the commons, where individual users acting independently according to their own self-interest behave contrary to the common good of all users by depleting or spoiling that resource through their collective action.

A Neighborhood Uses Well Water, and No Individual Family Has