Tragedy of the Commons
Reading discussion questions.
1. Who wrote the article? When was this article written?
2. What was your thoughts on the simulation we did in class? (don't answer
this one yet)
3. Briefly explain "The Tragedy of the Commons presented in the article.
4.To what resources might this analogy apply?
5. To what other environmental issue might this analogy apply?
6. How does population growth, factor into The Tragedy of the Commons?
7. Is the freedom to breed sacred? Are there any legitimate reasons you can
see for limiting fecundity?
8. What does Hardin mean by Mutual Coercion Mutually Agreed upon?
Quiz questions:
1. What does it mean when Hardin says there are no technical solutions to a
particular problem?
2. Explain how Hardin comes up with the statement that "The optimum is,
then,
less than the maximum.
3. Explain how the story of the herdmen is an example of the "Tragedy of the
Commons".
4. Explain how Hardin would seek to solve the problem of population growth;
be sure to include what coercion has to do with it.
