Governing the Commons (book)

"Governing the Commons" by Elinor Ostrom examines how communities manage shared resources like fisheries, pastures, or water sources without external regulation. It highlights that people can create effective, self-organized rules and institutions to sustainably govern these resources, challenging the idea that only government or privatization can prevent overuse. Ostrom identifies specific principles, such as clear boundaries, monitoring, and collective decision-making, enabling communities to sustainably use common resources. The book emphasizes that successful management depends on local knowledge, cooperation, and context-sensitive regulations, offering valuable insights into sustainable resource governance beyond simplistic solutions.