The Tragedy of the Commons (book)

"The Tragedy of the Commons," a concept popularized by Garrett Hardin in 1968, explains how individuals, acting independently and rationally according to their own self-interest, can ultimately destroy shared resources. When people exploit common-pool resources like grazing land, fisheries, or the atmosphere without regulation or cooperation, overuse depletes or damages these resources, making them less available for everyone. This illustrates a fundamental challenge in managing shared resources sustainably, highlighting the need for collective solutions, regulations, or cooperation to prevent the depletion of communal assets for future generations.