1. What is Garret Hardin most concerned about?

He worries that there is not enough of the right kind of privatization, and that commons lead to destruction. Wasting away all resources is an element of a bleak future.

2. How can "the commons" best be defined?

The Commons are resources that belong to no one, so that everyone might use them when or how they will.

3. Are individuals who overuse "the commons" acting irrationally? Explain.

Not at all, they profit from using the resources as the costs are divided amongst all who use them, yet the benefits are being reaped solely by the exploiting individuals. Privatizing resources means that people care what happens to them and will help maintain them.

4. Besides the "common pasture", what other resources does Hardin identify as "commons"?

Any area that can be or is used for something beneficial. This could also apply for resources, but it is unlikely seeing as many people claim what is in their land to be theirs also.

5. What are some of the possible solutions he suggests for the problems faced by America's National Parks?

He says that the government might allocate the right to enter parks, or privatize them.

6. How are air and water different from pastures, the oceans, and national parks in the "tragedy" presented by the common resources?



7. What are some of the possible solutions Hardin suggests for the "cesspool" tragedy represented by the pollution of our air and water?

Coercive laws or taxing devices could be used to maintain the waste produced by the commons.

8. How does the tragedy of the commons lead to market failure?