Dilemmas of the Commons

The Dilemmas of the Commons refers to a situation where individuals, acting in their own self-interest, overuse or degrade a shared resource, leading to a negative outcome for everyone. Imagine a group of farmers sharing a pasture: if each farmer adds more sheep to maximize their own profit, the pasture can become overgrazed, resulting in a loss of grass and ultimately harming all farmers. This conflict highlights the challenge of balancing individual needs with the collective good, emphasizing the need for cooperation and sustainable management to preserve shared resources for future generations.