The problem of the commons
Subtitle: still unsettled after 100 years
By: Robert N. Stavins
Contributors: National Bureau of Economic Research
Series: NBER working paper series -- working paper 16403; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) -- working paper no. 16403.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Description: "The problem of the commons is more important to our lives and thus more central to economics than a century ago when Katharine Coman led off the first issue of the American Economic Review.  As the U.S.  and other economies have grown, the carrying-capacity of the planet - in regard to natural resources and environmental quality - has become a greater concern, particularly for common-property and open-access resources.  The focus of this article is on some important, unsettled problems of the commons.  Within the realm of natural resources, there are special challenges associated with renewable resources, which are frequently characterized by open-access.  An important example is the degradation of open-access fisheries.  Critical commons problems are also associated with environmental quality.  A key contribution of economics has been the development of market-based approaches to environmental protection.  These instruments are key to addressing the ultimate commons problem of the twenty-first century - global climate change"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 2/10/2011.

Includes bibliographical references.

Also available in print.

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Mode of access: World Wide Web.