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Institutions And The Environment

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  • Elinor Ostrom

Abstract

Scholars have tended to recommend ‘optimal’ solutions for coping with open‐access problems related to common‐pool resources such as fisheries, forests and water systems. Examples exist of both successful and unsuccessful efforts to rely on private property, government property and community property. After briefly reviewing how the often‐recommended solutions have worked in the field, I suggest that institutional theorists move from touting simple, optimal solutions to analysing adaptive, multi‐level governance as related to complex, evolving resource systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Elinor Ostrom, 2008. "Institutions And The Environment," Economic Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(3), pages 24-31, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecaffa:v:28:y:2008:i:3:p:24-31
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0270.2008.00840.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. R. Quentin Grafton & Ragnar Arnason & Trond Bjorndal & David Campbell & Harry F. Campbell & Colin W. Clark & Robin Connor & Diane P. Dupont & Rognvaldur Hannesson & Ray Hilborn & James E. Kirkley & To, 2005. "Incentive-based approaches to sustainable fisheries," Economics and Environment Network Working Papers 0508, Australian National University, Economics and Environment Network.
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