Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons"

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that although Garrett Hardin's essay entitled "The Tragedy of the Commons" was written nearly 40 years ago, it has even more impact today than when it was written, as we watch the population of the world continue to climb exponentially. The writer points out that Hardin's concern with overpopulation caused by, as he terms it, "the freedom to breed" is prevalent in all parts of the world today. In the third world where population is increasing at the greatest rate, starvation and disease run rampant. The writer further discusses that in the industrial world, the current population is beginning to tax natural resources such as fossil fuels, land and water just as Hardin predicted. The writer concludes that what Hardin saw 40 years ago is still true today, population growth must be controlled.

From the Paper:

"In this example, Hardin explores the idea of how people really are looking out for their own best interest with no regard for or unintentional benefit for the common good. Hardin asks the reader to imagine a pasture that is open to all to use. At more primitive times, overpopulation of the pasture by animals did not occur due to natural attrition. However, in more modern times, a point will occur when the balance will be tipped. Adding one more animal to the grazing land will cause it to be overpopulated. Nevertheless, the individual herders weigh their options and determine that they will benefit more personally by adding additional animals and the negative consequences are slight in comparison. If all of the herdsmen add animals, eventually they will being it to ruin.
To give this example more impact, Hardin looks to the National Parks as a modern example of how the lack of limits placed on individuals can destroy something."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "The Tragedy of the Commons": Garrett Hardin
• "The Wealth of Nations": Adam Smith

More papers on Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons":

• Analytical Essay # 143017 : "The Tragedy of the Commons"
• Article Review # 127932 : "Analysis of "The Tragedy of the Commons"
• Essay # 34603 : "Tragedy of Commons"

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