The case of waste disposal in most cities in North America can be modeled as a prisoner dilemma:
A)because city households are hostile to each other.
B)due to the high incidence of crime in the city.
C)if certain conditions regarding the cost and benefits of proper disposal are met.
D)in all cases.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The prisoner dilemma refers to a situation where two parties choose between cooperation and defection, and the outcome depends on the choices made by both parties. In the context of waste disposal, the dilemma arises because each household can choose to properly dispose of their waste or dump it illegally, and the outcome depends on the overall level of cooperation. If everyone cooperates, the city benefits from proper disposal, but if too many households defect, the city suffers from environmental degradation and increased costs. This situation meets the conditions for a prisoner dilemma, and the best choice is for all households to choose cooperation by properly disposing of their waste. However, without an effective mechanism for coordination or enforcement, many households may choose to defect, leading to a suboptimal outcome for the city as a whole.

The Case of Waste Disposal in Most Cities in North