Is the Tragedy of the Commons of Myth?

There is a well known problem in economics known as the tragedy of the commons.  This problem occurs when a resource, often land, is shared among many people.  Without individual property rights, individuals have an incentive to over-consume and not maintain the resource.  For instance, Garrett Hardin gave an example of a case where herders, sharing a…

Saving Lions by Killing Them

Lions are among the most awe-inspiring animals around.  Their regal manes have inspired many and have been the source of numerous Disney cartoon characters. The question is, how does one protect the animals?  In Namibia, the answer has been allowing hunters to kill them.  Hunting these animals has the obvious drawback that it decreases the…