Commons Dilemma

The commons dilemma is a specific class of social dilemma in which people's short-term selfish interests are at odds with longterm group interests. The commons dilemma, also known as the common pool resource (CPR), the resource dilemma, or the take-some dilemma, was inspired by the metaphor of the Tragedy of the Commons that Garrett Hardin discussed in his seminal 1968 Science article. This story describes a group of herders with open access to a common parcel of land on which to let their cows graze. It is in each herder's interest to put as many cows as possible onto the land, even if the commons is damaged as a result. The herder receives all the benefits from the additional cows, but the damage to the ...