Tragedy of the Commons Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Tragedy of the Commons - Essay Example ety should place several checks and balances owing to the changing social structure in order to regulate the depletion of the naturally existing resources. In most societies, utilization of such resources as rivers and lakes relies on the morality of the population. However, morality changes with time as the society expands. Such factors as population increase and increase in the commonly shared resources in the modern society are two fundamental factors that influence the institutionalization of checks and balances in order to regulate human activity and their utilization of the common resources. Furthermore, the society currently has a single source of authority, which can effectively govern the utilization of the common resources thus mitigating on the depletion of the resources. In the modern society, the commonly shared resources have increased to include public recreational parks, radio waves and electricity lines among others. While such may belong to state corporations, they serve the entire society thus equally commanding responsive utilization in order not to inconvenience others. Situations that portray tragedy of the commons in the modern society thus include congestion caused by both overpopulation and increase in personal cars in urban centers, the use of unlicensed radio waves in communication and vandalism or littering of public parks among other recreational centers. Owing to its relevance in the contemporary social problems, the argument is often relevant in explaining government actions and policies in regulating the activities of businesses in society. The sustenance of the natural resources is in modern societies the responsibility of the government. This implies that the governments must formulate and implement policies that safeguard the longevity of such resources as lakes, forests, rivers among others. Water pollution is a modern tragedy that threatens the aqua life and the entire ecosystem. Among the greatest polluters of such resources