Part -1:
1. What is a commons?
2. What is the ideal "logic" of the commons? i.e., how is it ideally supposed to work?
3. But what do selfish individuals tend to do to accumulate wealth?
4. What, then, is the Tragedy of the Commons?
5. Does the tragedy necessarily need to follow from, or be the consequence of, greed?
6. How do you know? i.e., how was it explained in the article? Do you agree? Why or why not?
7. Give an appropriate, example of a commons (NOT the Mississippi River).
8. Give 2 examples from the article of what is NOT a commons. Say why, for each one.
9. What was Hardin's 1st declaration on the commons, in 1963?
10. After consideration, what was the re-write, his new version, on the Commons (1985)?
11. What is the basic differences, the new "condition", in his new declaration, compared to his first?
12. Why do you suppose he made that change? Think about this. Speculate. What could one reasonably assume happened to compel Garrett Hardin to modify his original assertion? (Think about the era he lived in and the philosopher Herschel Elliot's many comments. What did Hardin learn, what changed on the planet, whom might he have spoken with?)
13. Do you think Hardin's reconsideration and re-write of his proposition regarding a commons shows optimism or doom for the planet & humankind? Why or why not?
14. What is Hardin's solution (according to the author of article #3) to the Tragedy of the Commons?
15. Name 2 commons not mentioned specifically in the articles. One of them in Minnesota (NOT the Mississippi), and one somewhere else on this planet (# 2 can also be in MN).
16. Why is each a commons? Refer to your definition in Q 1. Think about this
17. What would need to be done, according to Hardin, Elliot, and Jared Diamond, to prevent a tragedy in these 2 commons (the 2 that you mention)? Be specific
Part -2:
1. From what you've read in these articles and what you understand from other studies, what do think Garret Hardin would say was the single biggest danger to the human species? If one could control or "fix" one thing on the planet, what do think Hardin would say it would be? Explain why you thing that way. Completely give logical rationale for your reasons.
2. What is Mankiw's one-paragraph explanation for the "Tragedy of the Commons"?Explain, clarify, what Mankiw means by this explanation. Explain it as if you had to get a 13-year old middle school student to understand it.