Hardin Garret.(1968)," The Tragedy of the Commons", Science, Vol .162(1968):1243-1248.
According to the author of this article there are certain problems that don’t have solutions that could be reached by applying technology. This genre of problems has more of human values and morality attached to it that cannot be gauged by using technology. Thus this type of problems can be classified as problems with no technical solutions. Such are problems that have no straightforward conventional solution. The population problem is one such problem which cannot be solved by using a technical approach.
Population growth is seen as exponential and if we consider our resources to be limited than a finite source can support us only if population growth tends to zero. This condition cannot be fulfilled because that would mean that the human race survive merely to stay alive and cut down on any activity that incorporates extra energy. The human race is not programmed to live life for the mare sake of existence. Our kind likes to explore new opportunities and search for new quest. Thus given a finite source of energy the population problem cannot be solved by applying technical methods. Thus when it comes to the population problem the optimum solution is something that is less than the maximum. How much less and what is a good number is difficult to comprehend because it doesn’t have a common basis or any standard comparison. The problem remains unsolved because we haven’t seen any population that has attained zero population growth but we need exercise control on population by some means because in most cases we have seen that the world’s fastest growing population are the ones that are in miserable condition.
After much consideration it is seen the root cause of such problems are related to something which the author calls the tragedy of the commons. This is a situation where an individual thinks good for him and his cumulative actions ruins the society in which he is also a part. It is like a vicious cycle where each individual thinks for momentary benefits for him and his family but his decisions causes him to suffer as a part of the society. The pollution problem is one of them. Each individual thinks that it is profitable for him to discharge untreated waste into a river which belongs to the commons thereby polluting it. His momentary benefit causes him and others to suffer as the source of water is polluted and rendered unusable for future. Thus freedom of the common brings the tragedy. This may be controlled by imposing taxes and taking proper control measures at the administrative level but again the administrative body consists of men who are liable to corruption.
The author points out that some of the measures taken to control the population have been rendered futile because one needs to understand the human society and its psychology before appealing to control population. Ours is a welfare state where there is a freedom to breed and every born has an equal right of survival. Such a policy is dreadful. A combination of freedom and welfare causes it impossible to control population and such are the policies that are endorsed by the world’s largest welfare organization “The United Nations”. One must see the loopholes of such a decision and understand its implications. Another failed approach has been appealing to conscience. There will be a mixed reaction, some will yield to it and some will not. Seems like those who don’t yield will produce more offspring’s and they in turn form larger part of the population with a conscience that does not yield to appealing. One can see this is a futile approach to control population. It is like the one who responds to the appealing is at the greatest disadvantage while others reap benefits from exploiting the society. His solo action gets him no profit and also doesn’t benefit the society.
So can such problems be controlled by force? In today’s world any forceful action even though rightful may be considered not appropriate. Thus a forceful action which is non voluntary but has been approved by all can be applied. Like in the case of taxes, we don’t like to pay taxes we complain and wish we don’t have to pay taxes but we also agree that it is for the betterment of the society and although involuntary we do end up paying taxes.
The evil of the commons exist in many social problems of today. One has to carefully analyzed them. We must exercise our freedom responsibly and understand that in certain cases we need to curb the freedom of commons to get a better society. Thus the population problem can be controlled if we curb the freedom to breed. This may sound very controversial to many and one may argue it from humanitarian and religious aspects but this is a basic and most fruitful solution. It is role of education to expose this idea so that at one point it will be mutually agreed upon and we may finally overcome the evils of overpopulation.
This article is an interesting collection of solid facts which are right in front of our eyes but we tend to overlook them probably because of their simplicity. I come from an overpopulated country which has like the highest population density and being the victim of overpopulation I do agree it is required that we control the rate of breeding. One can understand the storm of controversies that will be created as we even think of such a possibility but the question is how long can the human race survive with the pressure of this ever increasing population? It will be interesting to think of probable means by which a check can be imposed on the freedom to breed and also survive the wave of protest that will follow.
According to the author of this article there are certain problems that don’t have solutions that could be reached by applying technology. This genre of problems has more of human values and morality attached to it that cannot be gauged by using technology. Thus this type of problems can be classified as problems with no technical solutions. Such are problems that have no straightforward conventional solution. The population problem is one such problem which cannot be solved by using a technical approach.
Population growth is seen as exponential and if we consider our resources to be limited than a finite source can support us only if population growth tends to zero. This condition cannot be fulfilled because that would mean that the human race survive merely to stay alive and cut down on any activity that incorporates extra energy. The human race is not programmed to live life for the mare sake of existence. Our kind likes to explore new opportunities and search for new quest. Thus given a finite source of energy the population problem cannot be solved by applying technical methods. Thus when it comes to the population problem the optimum solution is something that is less than the maximum. How much less and what is a good number is difficult to comprehend because it doesn’t have a common basis or any standard comparison. The problem remains unsolved because we haven’t seen any population that has attained zero population growth but we need exercise control on population by some means because in most cases we have seen that the world’s fastest growing population are the ones that are in miserable condition.
After much consideration it is seen the root cause of such problems are related to something which the author calls the tragedy of the commons. This is a situation where an individual thinks good for him and his cumulative actions ruins the society in which he is also a part. It is like a vicious cycle where each individual thinks for momentary benefits for him and his family but his decisions causes him to suffer as a part of the society. The pollution problem is one of them. Each individual thinks that it is profitable for him to discharge untreated waste into a river which belongs to the commons thereby polluting it. His momentary benefit causes him and others to suffer as the source of water is polluted and rendered unusable for future. Thus freedom of the common brings the tragedy. This may be controlled by imposing taxes and taking proper control measures at the administrative level but again the administrative body consists of men who are liable to corruption.
The author points out that some of the measures taken to control the population have been rendered futile because one needs to understand the human society and its psychology before appealing to control population. Ours is a welfare state where there is a freedom to breed and every born has an equal right of survival. Such a policy is dreadful. A combination of freedom and welfare causes it impossible to control population and such are the policies that are endorsed by the world’s largest welfare organization “The United Nations”. One must see the loopholes of such a decision and understand its implications. Another failed approach has been appealing to conscience. There will be a mixed reaction, some will yield to it and some will not. Seems like those who don’t yield will produce more offspring’s and they in turn form larger part of the population with a conscience that does not yield to appealing. One can see this is a futile approach to control population. It is like the one who responds to the appealing is at the greatest disadvantage while others reap benefits from exploiting the society. His solo action gets him no profit and also doesn’t benefit the society.
So can such problems be controlled by force? In today’s world any forceful action even though rightful may be considered not appropriate. Thus a forceful action which is non voluntary but has been approved by all can be applied. Like in the case of taxes, we don’t like to pay taxes we complain and wish we don’t have to pay taxes but we also agree that it is for the betterment of the society and although involuntary we do end up paying taxes.
The evil of the commons exist in many social problems of today. One has to carefully analyzed them. We must exercise our freedom responsibly and understand that in certain cases we need to curb the freedom of commons to get a better society. Thus the population problem can be controlled if we curb the freedom to breed. This may sound very controversial to many and one may argue it from humanitarian and religious aspects but this is a basic and most fruitful solution. It is role of education to expose this idea so that at one point it will be mutually agreed upon and we may finally overcome the evils of overpopulation.
This article is an interesting collection of solid facts which are right in front of our eyes but we tend to overlook them probably because of their simplicity. I come from an overpopulated country which has like the highest population density and being the victim of overpopulation I do agree it is required that we control the rate of breeding. One can understand the storm of controversies that will be created as we even think of such a possibility but the question is how long can the human race survive with the pressure of this ever increasing population? It will be interesting to think of probable means by which a check can be imposed on the freedom to breed and also survive the wave of protest that will follow.
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