Commons Theory and Community Irrigation Schemes

Question 1

Development Tragedy of the Commons by Hardin, 1968

Answer 1

The tragedy of the commons develop in this way. Picture a pasture open to all. It is to be expected that each herdsman will try to keep as many cattle as possible on the commons. Such an arrangement may work reasonably satisfactorily for centuries because tribal wars, poaching, and disease keep he numbers of both man and beast well below the carrying capacity of the land. Finally however, comes the day of reckoning, that is, the day when the long–desired goal of social stability becomes a reality. At this point the inherent logic of the commons remorselessly generates tragedy

Question 2

Definition Common Property Regimes (Cole & Ostrom 2012: 42)

Answer 2

Each member of the ownership group has the right to access and use group-owned resources in accordance with access and use rules established collectively by the group, and a duty not to violate access and use rules. Each member also has the right to exclude nonmembers of the ownership group have a duty not to access and use the resource except in accordance with rules adopted collectively by the ownership group.

Question 3

Commons by Ostrom

Answer 3

Defined by both their biophysical characteristics and their institutional perspective. Common pool resources, defined by substractability and difficulty to exclude, that are governed by common property regimes.

Question 4

Polycentricity by Ostrom

Answer 4

A complex form of governance with multiple centers of decision-making, each of which operates with some degree of autonomy. Local users are allowed to develop rules that guide individual’s behavior. It does not imply complete decentralization of a national government; governance is shared between national and local actors.

Question 5

Subtractability by Ostrom

Answer 5

One person’s use of a resource subtracts from the amount available to others

Question 6

Excludability by Ostrom

Answer 6

The ability to exclude others from using the resource (pay attention to if it’s “excludabilty” or “difficulty to exclude”)

Question 7

Double exposure scenario

Answer 7

(1) population growth leads to increased demand on a resource
(2) climate change impacts the distribution and availability of water