Which of the following would economists label as an example of the "tragedy of the commons?"
A)The over grazing of private land by ranchers.
B)The over grazing of public land by ranchers.
C)The disregard for health warnings on home use pesticide sprays.
D)The loss of value that a homeowner incurs when they fail to maintain their lawn.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tragedy of the commons refers to the depletion or degradation of a common resource that is accessible to all individuals in a society, but for which no one person has ownership responsibility. In this case, public land is a shared resource and is being overgrazed by ranchers, leading to depletion and degradation of the resource. The other choices do not fit the definition of the tragedy of the commons.

Which of the Following Would Economists Label as an Example