Asked by Derek Lause on Jul 17, 2024

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Which of the following best exemplifies a potential tragedy of the commons?

A) Everyone shows up at the party wearing the same pink shirt.
B) Nobody cleans the lake after pollutants are accidentally spilled in it.
C) Multiple shepherds allow their sheep to graze on a plot of land.
D) A rainforest is cut down to build housing.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation in which individuals acting independently and rationally according to their own self-interest behave contrary to the best interests of the whole group by depleting or spoiling shared resources.

Pollutants

Substances that cause pollution, having harmful effects on the environment and living organisms.

  • Acquire knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings and implications of commons dilemmas.
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Lauren GentlemanJul 21, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
When multiple shepherds allow their sheep to graze on a plot of land, each shepherd has an individual incentive to have their sheep consume as much as possible, leading to overgrazing and depletion of the land's resources. This is an example of the tragedy of the commons, where individuals acting in their own self-interest can collectively harm a shared resource.

Option A is not an example of the tragedy of the commons as it does not involve a shared resource. Option B is an example of pollution, but not the tragedy of the commons specifically. Option D is an example of deforestation, but again, not specifically related to the tragedy of the commons.