Conversation

The tragedy of the commons is a pernicious myth.

The demise of the commons of Britain and Europe wasn't the result of misuse by commoners, but enclosing by the landowners. The original hypothetical was made up for storytelling purposes, and the term was popularized by an ecologist with anti-immigrant and racist views.

Here is my recommended reading for heading into 2023:

https://aeon.co/essays/the-tragedy-of-the-commons-is-a-false-and-dangerous-myth