ABSTRACT
This chapter explores regions with very similar challenges and different fates, in order to analyse what makes communal action successful and what makes them vulnerable and likely to fail. It looks at the ability of both regions to manage resources sustainably and fend off environmental hazards, since these several factors are the core business of common-pool institutions (CPI). The chapter also explores institutional and societal factors played a role in determining the outcome of collective action, by comparing both regions’ CPIs and the socio-economic and political constellations of both societies. In historical reality several CPIs all over the world and through time experienced serious degradation of resources, faced ecological problems and disasters because of mismanagement and were confronted with stifling free rider and non-compliance issues. The most important task of CPIs is the management of common resources in a sustainable manner and preventing a ‘tragedy of the commons’.
