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Asymmetrical Contributions to the Tragedy of the Commons and Some Implications for Conservation

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  • Jennifer Jacquet

    (Environmental Studies, New York University, 285 Mercer Street, 10th floor, New York, NY 10003, USA)

  • David Frank

    (Environmental Studies, New York University, 285 Mercer Street, 10th floor, New York, NY 10003, USA)

  • Christopher Schlottmann

    (Environmental Studies, New York University, 285 Mercer Street, 10th floor, New York, NY 10003, USA)

Abstract

In Garrett Hardin’s popular essay on “The Tragedy of the Commons”, he presents a model of a shared commons where herdsmen graze their cattle to illustrate the tension between group and self-interest that characterizes so many social dilemmas. However, Hardin is not explicit that consumption can actually vary widely among herdsman, although later, when discussing population growth, he clarifies that “people vary”. People do indeed vary, and here we explore further the prevalence of asymmetrical contributions to the tragedy of the commons. We also provide several examples to demonstrate that asymmetries have been frequently underappreciated by conservation initiatives. Given that many of today’s major environmental problems, such as climate change, freshwater shortages, and overfishing, are problems of users or groups of users over-consuming common resources asymmetrically, we believe identifying patterns of consumption is a necessary first step in solving any social dilemma, and can help elucidate priority areas for conservation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Jacquet & David Frank & Christopher Schlottmann, 2013. "Asymmetrical Contributions to the Tragedy of the Commons and Some Implications for Conservation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:3:p:1036-1048:d:24049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elinor Ostrom & Roy Gardner, 1993. "Coping with Asymmetries in the Commons: Self-Governing Irrigation Systems Can Work," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 7(4), pages 93-112, Fall.
    2. Rosamond L. Naylor & Rebecca J. Goldburg & Jurgenne H. Primavera & Nils Kautsky & Malcolm C. M. Beveridge & Jason Clay & Carl Folke & Jane Lubchenco & Harold Mooney & Max Troell, 2000. "Effect of aquaculture on world fish supplies," Nature, Nature, vol. 405(6790), pages 1017-1024, June.
    3. Froese, Rainer & Proelss, Alexander, 2012. "Evaluation and legal assessment of certified seafood," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 1284-1289.
    4. Janssen, Marco A. & Anderies, John M. & Cardenas, Juan-Camilo, 2011. "Head-enders as stationary bandits in asymmetric commons: Comparing irrigation experiments in the laboratory and the field," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(9), pages 1590-1598, July.
    5. Jennifer Jacquet & Daniel Pauly & David Ainley & Sidney Holt & Paul Dayton & Jeremy Jackson, 2010. "Seafood stewardship in crisis," Nature, Nature, vol. 467(7311), pages 28-29, September.
    6. Marco Janssen & John Anderies & Sanket Joshi, 2011. "Coordination and cooperation in asymmetric commons dilemmas," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 14(4), pages 547-566, November.
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    2. Henrik Österblom & Jean-Baptiste Jouffray & Carl Folke & Beatrice Crona & Max Troell & Andrew Merrie & Johan Rockström, 2015. "Transnational Corporations as ‘Keystone Actors’ in Marine Ecosystems," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-15, May.

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