When you read about the economics of environmental policy, you were required to read an article by Garrett Hardin titled “The Tragedy of the Commons”. In order to answer this question well you need to have read the article. Take a minute to review it, especially his argument about how the tragedy of the commons arises. Analysts use the ideas behind tragedy of the commons to analyze the political problems associated with attempts to manage the global environment. Be sure you understand how the pursuit of individual self interest (or the national interest) results in the erosion of the environment.
The international system of states is anarchic in the sense that there is no political authority that can compel states to act. Rather, solutions require states to cooperate with each other and comply with agreements. States. in turn, are motivated by national “self interest”. Analysts use this model for climate change, fisheries, resource exploitation, atmospheric pollution, and so forth…
After reviewing “The Tragedy”, select a global environmental issue and show how the “Tragedy of the Commons” applies to it. In your answer, predict the possibility of cooperative solutions… Please note that just talking about a problem will not do! You must demonstrate an understanding of why countries don’t cooperate using the Tragedy model. A good response will start with a few sentences explaining how the tragedy arises… (see the section on livestock on the commons!)
