The tragedy of the commons was avoided in the Middle Ages by
A)selling common grounds to individuals.
B)the local police who monitored entry into the commons.
C)social pressure to uphold traditionally accepted limits on family use of the commons.
D)the government which imposed a tax for the use of the commons.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the Middle Ages, social pressure played a significant role in ensuring the sustainability of common resources. Communities established and upheld traditionally accepted limits on the use of common lands to prevent overuse or depletion of resources. This was mainly done through customary laws and social norms that dictated how much of the common resources each family could use. The fear of social sanctions and reputational damage among community members for violating these customary laws limited the extent of resource use and ensured that the commons were not overused or depleted. Therefore, choice C is the best answer. Selling common grounds to individuals (A) and imposing a tax for the use of the commons (D) may improve short-term incentives but could lead to the long-term depletion of resources. Moreover, a local police force (B) may not be practical or sustainable in monitoring the commons' use continually.

The Tragedy of the Commons Was Avoided in the Middle