Not only the tragedy of the commons: Misperceptions of feedback and policies for sustainable development

Not only the tragedy of the commons: Misperceptions of feedback and policies for sustainable development

0.00 Avg rating0 Votes
Article ID: iaor2002254
Country: United Kingdom
Volume: 16
Issue: 4
Start Page Number: 325
End Page Number: 348
Publication Date: Jan 2000
Journal: System Dynamics Review
Authors:
Keywords: world affairs
Abstract:

This article summarizes key insights from four laboratory experiments to study renewable resource management. The commons problem, which is widely held to be the cause of mismanagement of common renewable resources, was ruled out by the design of the experiments. Still the participants overinvested and overutilized their resources. The explanation offered is systematic misperceptions of stocks and flows and of nonlinearities. The heuristics that people apply are intendedly rational for static, flow resources, but not for dynamic, stock resources. Simplifying and reframing the management problem, by focusing on net growth rates, is suggested as a means to foster the use of more appropriate heuristics.

Reviews

Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published.