Environmental Problems and Free-Riding: Case of Bodrum Region

Currently, the primary problem in relation to the economic activities is the dismissal of the negative externalities by the economic entrepreneurs as element of costs. As observed in the case of private goods, with regard to environment, who shall bear the liability associated with the degradation is an important problem due to lack of any restriction on the possession. Attainment of optimal balance for sake of public benefit depends not only on market/profit motive, but also on recurrence of its infinite games. Legal determination of the repeated or infinite games plays a vital role in the resolution of environmental problems or elimination of free-riding. To achieve this, a well-functioning public authority is needed. The present study seeks to examine the approaches of the residents in Bodrum—a renowned tourism resort in Southern Turkey—towards environment, further evaluating their propensity to free-riding. The study is based on the findings of a field research done in the Bodrum region.