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Symmetric Tragedies: Commons and Anticommons

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Author Info
Buchanan, James M
Yoon, Yong J

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Abstract

An anticommons problem arises when there exist multiple rights to exclude. In a lengthy law review paper, Michael A. Heller has examined "The Tragedy of the Anticommons," especially in regard to disappointing experiences with efforts to shift from socialist to market institutions in Russia. In an early footnote, Heller suggests that a formal economic model of the anticommons has not been developed. This paper responds to Heller's challenge. We analyze the anticommons problem in which resources are inefficiently underutilized rather than overutilized, as in the familiar commons setting. The two problems are shown to be symmetrical in several respects. We present an algebraic and geometric illustration and extend the discussion to several applications. Of greater importance, we suggest that the construction is helpful in understanding the sources of major value wastage in modern regulatory bureaucracy. Copyright 2000 by the University of Chicago.

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Publisher Info
Article provided by University of Chicago Press in its journal Journal of Law & Economics.

Volume (Year): 43 (2000)
Issue (Month): 1 (April)
Pages: 1-13
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Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlawec:v:43:y:2000:i:1:p:1-13

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  1. christoph Engel, 2005. "Voice over IP. Competition Policy and Regulation," Working Paper Series of the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods 2005_26, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods. [Downloadable!]
  2. Heidrun C. Hoppe & Emre Ozdenoren, 2002. "Intermediation in Innovation," CIG Working Papers FS IV 02-11, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin (WZB), Research Unit: Competition and Innovation (CIG). [Downloadable!]
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  3. Qianwei Ying & Guangnan Zhang, 2008. "Fragmentation of licensing right, bargaining and the tragedy of the anti-commons," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 61-73, August. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  4. Jonathan Pincus & Perry Shapiro, 2008. "The L2H2 Auction: Efficiency and Equity in the Assemblage of Land for Public Use Revision 5," Working Papers 2008-06, University of Adelaide, School of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  5. Francesco Parisi & Norbert Schulz & Ben Depoorter, . "Simultaneous and Sequential Anticommons," Yale Law School John M. Olin Center for Studies in Law, Economics, and Public Policy Working Paper Series yale_lepp-1009, Yale Law School John M. Olin Center for Studies in Law, Economics, and Public Policy. [Downloadable!]
  6. José António Filipe & Manuel Alberto M. Ferreira & Manuel Coelho, 2007. "The Tragedy of the Anti-Commons: A New Problem. An Application to the Fisheries," Working Papers 2007/16, Department of Economics at the School of Economics and Management (ISEG), Technical University of Lisbon.. [Downloadable!]
  7. Deng, Feng, 2008. "What Is “Open”? An Economic Analysis of Open Institutions," MPRA Paper 8888, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  8. Buckley, Robert M. & Kalarickal, Jerry, 2004. "Shelter strategies for the urban poor : idiosyncratic and successful, but hardly mysterious," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3427, The World Bank. [Downloadable!]
  9. Jo Reynaerts & Patrick Van Cayseele, 2007. "Complementary Platforms," LICOS Discussion Papers 18607, LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance, K.U.Leuven. [Downloadable!]
  10. repec:bep:dewple:2004-1-1091 is not listed on IDEAS
  11. Francesco Parisi & Norbert Schulz & Ben Depoorter, 2004. "Simultaneous and Sequential Anticommons," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 175-190, March. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  12. Jonathan Pincus & Perry Shapiro, 2008. "Efficiency and Equity in the use of eminent domain, with local externalies," Working Papers 2008-09, University of Adelaide, School of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  13. David Moroz, 2005. "Production of Scientific Knowledge and Radical Uncertainty: The Limits of the Normative Approach in Innovation Economics," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 305-322, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  14. Rieko Aoki & Aaron Schiff, 2009. "Collective Rights Organizations and Investment in Upstream R&D," Global COE Hi-Stat Discussion Paper Series gd08-045, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University. [Downloadable!]
  15. Alfredo Canavese, 2004. "Commons, anti-commons, corruption and 'maffia' behavior," Law and Economics 0411002, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
  16. Masuyuki Nishijima, 2004. "Effects of the Anticommons on R&D: The Case of University Corporation in Japan," Econometric Society 2004 Far Eastern Meetings 647, Econometric Society. [Downloadable!]
  17. Jonathan Pincus & Perry Shapiro, 2008. "Between forced resumption and voluntary sale: a mechanism for the collective sale or transfer of irrigation water," Working Papers 2008-07, University of Adelaide, School of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  18. Benito Arruñada & Nuno Garoupa, 2001. "The Choice of Titling System in Land," Economics Working Papers 607, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, revised Dec 2004. [Downloadable!]
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  19. Ramanna, Anitha, 2003. "India's plant variety and farmers' rights legislation: potential impact on stakeholder access to genetic resources," EPTD discussion papers 96, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
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