The tragedy of commons
“According to Gardiner, the tragedy of the commons is a situation in which a prisoner is in dilemma involving a single common resource,” (Gardiner 108). In life, people are faced with situations that require deep reasoning before making the right decisions. Occasionally, individuals entangle themselves with situations that are beyond their control. In such situations, people are obliged to consider a lot of things before jumping to a conclusion. For instance, a group of herdsmen sharing the same resources may think of doubling the number of their animals so as to maximize profit. Unfortunately, an increase in a number of animals is associated with the depletion of the available resources. Thus, in such a situation, herdsmen are forced to reconsider their decision. On most occasions, they end up ignoring their desires for the sake of their few animals and future survival. Therefore, the tragedy of the commons is all about the diversus
Anarchy verses polarity in the international system
“Anarchy is defined as the absence of a sovereign source of authority and power in the international system,” (Art and Jervis 507). Anarchy is the key problem to international relations. It is also so significant in the causation of dilemma in most states. It also causes International competition over politics and wars. It is also considered by very many people as a thing that is hard to control. On the other hand, “polarity refers to the arrangement of power within the international system” (Art and Jervis 505). The balance power theory originated from it. Polarity plays a significant role towards maintaining stability and preventing war.
The existence of both anarchy and polarity in the international system contributes significantly to emergence and existence of cooperation problems. In most occasions, states fail to come into agreement concerning possession of military weapons. Nations tend to compete against each other in production of military weapons. However, situations do force nations to reconsider their decisions concerning military warfare. For instance, all states in the world prefer pursuing their own interests to the interests of other nations (Art and Jervis 505). From the above, it is evident that the nature of international relations is anarchy. This is because there is no country that has authority over regulations of the activities that take place in any state. Thus, states deliver themselves from such dilemma by doing away with inessential competitions such as military and power competitions.
Solutions to the tragedy of commons
According to Garrett Hardin, it is not appropriate to perceive regulation as the only solution to a problem. He believed in privatization as the solution to the tragedy of the commons. According to him, division of the commons and their distribution to different people enhance their management. He further argued that the involvement of many people enable every person enjoy the fruits of the commons. Garrett described the process of dividing the commons as a mutually coercion. According to him, mutual coercion was an association that involvement human enjoyment of a given resource.
Tyranny of small decisions is Kahn’s idea that elaborates on the impacts of the things that are perceived as insignificant. According to him, accumulation of small decisions may result to a severe outcome. His theory is significant in elaboration of the tragedy of the commons. Just as Garrett defined his theory, the tragedy of the commons, tyranny of small decisions may result to individuals making regrettable decisions. For instance, it is evident that increase of the cattle by the herdsmen described by Garrett will result to depletion of the food resources.
Works Cited
Art, Robert, and Robert Jervis. International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues. New York: Longman Publishing Group, 2010. Print.
Gardiner, Stephen. A Perfect Moral Storm: The Ethical Tragedy of Climate Change. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.