The tragedy of the commons refers to a situation in which a resource is overexploited because it is not
A) a common resource.
B) privately owned.
C) a public good.
D) scarce.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tragedy of the commons occurs when a resource is not privately owned, which means no one individual or group bears the full cost of their exploitation. Therefore, multiple individuals or groups may use the resource beyond its sustainable level, leading to depletion or degradation. The resource is often a common resource, meaning that it is shared by a group of individuals without any restrictions on its use. Public goods are not necessarily subject to the tragedy of the commons because they are usually provided by the government and regulated. Scarce resources may or may not be subject to the tragedy of the commons, depending on their ownership and regulation.

The Tragedy of the Commons Refers to a Situation in Which