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Doesn't the tragedy of the commons also apply to the free market? (hexbear.net)

submitted 6 days ago by Awoo@hexbear.net to c/chat@hexbear.net

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Ignore whether or not we actually agree with the tragedy of the commons for a moment.

If free land anyone is allowed to use is inevitably going to result in individuals acting in their own self interest depleting the resources of the fields and ultimately bringing about collective ruin.... Does that not apply to like... All of capitalism? On the planet?

The capitalists are incentivised to act in their individual interests, and they will do so to the ultimate collective ruin of the entire planet.

That is the tragedy of the commons expanded to an international scale, and if one believes in the tragedy of the commons then one must also believe in the other.

The commons must be centrally controlled and managed in the collective interest.

The market must be centrally controlled and managed in the collective interest.

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[–] KobaCumTribute@hexbear.net 30 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Yes, the entire premise is basically "imagine everyone is an amoral, profit driven capitalist kleptocratic eager to pillage and burn, therefore we must ensure that everything is up for sale to specifically those amoral, profit drive capitalist kleptocrats for... reasons. Yes this is coherent and smart please listen to me."

And of course in reality, the tragedy of the commons was caused by enclosure and capitalist encroachment that communities were prevented from using their traditional "just kick the shit out of someone who's wrecking up the place if they don't stop when you tell them to" methods to defend themselves against. Communal ownership leads to better and more responsible stewardship than commodifying everything for rich bastards to buy, exploit, and despoil.

[–] insurgentrat@hexbear.net 11 points 6 days ago

Actually even when you can't punish people directly there have been examples of some being managed collectively over long times.

Elenore Ostrom studied some, one example is

CW: Killing, mutilation, carnism

People fishing lobsters and clipping their tails to indicate they are carrying eggs or otherwise designated to maintain the population. I can't remember the precise details.