ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the application of Hardin's argument to groups of individuals and then to state actors. The Tragedy of the Commons is primarily an essay about population growth and its discontents. It is this "inherent logic" of it that "remorselessly generates tragedy". In fact the Tragedy of the Commons has just this structure, it is just that the payoffs are in terms of productivity instead of years in jail and the choices are whether to exploit or show restraint. The Montreal Protocol was negotiated in response to broad concern about stratospheric ozone depletion caused by chlorofluorocarbons. When chlorofluorocarbons are released into the atmosphere, they release chlorine in the stratosphere as a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The resulting depletion of the ozone layer allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth, which not only increases risk of skin cancer in humans, but also has damaging effects on both marine animal life and crop production.
