tragedy of the commons
An economics concept where individuals acting in their own self-interest deplete a shared resource. Also referred to as 共有地の悲劇.
See also: 共有地の悲劇
The tragedy of the commons is a concept that explains the overuse of shared resources.
Environmental issues are often cited as a typical example of the tragedy of the commons.
From English 'tragedy of the commons', a term popularized by ecologist Garrett Hardin in 1968. The Japanese form combines the loanword コモンズ (commons) with 悲劇 (tragedy).