Ostrom's work on common-pool resources

Elinor Ostrom’s work on common-pool resources analyzes how communities sustainably manage shared resources—like forests, fisheries, or water—without relying solely on government or private ownership. She identified that local users often develop practical rules, monitoring systems, and social norms that prevent overuse and conflict. Her research challenges the idea that common resources inevitably suffer from "tragedy of the commons," showing instead that well-organized communities can collaborate effectively. In essence, Ostrom demonstrated that cooperative management, rooted in local knowledge and governance, can successfully sustain shared resources over time.