Tragedy of the Commons by G. Hardin - Article Example

The problem of over-population particularly in the Indian sub-continent and in parts of Africa springs to mind immediately. In China, there has been a period of population limitation through the imposition of the one-child policy, but this is being relaxed these days as China develops industrially and adopts more western ways. Pollution and waste disposal are still of concern. There appears to be one difference, however, and that is that the modern world has started to add these different effects together and see them as part of a single global issue, such as global warming, and unsustainable use of resources for example.

There is more of collective consciousness about it, in the West at least, and this is seen in events like the global climate conferences.This article makes me reflect on the sobering fact that fifty years have passed since these problems were very clearly articulated, and yet very little has been done to address them. It makes me pessimistic about there ever being any serious or successful attempt to improve the condition of the world. After reading this article I am more open to coercive tactics than before because I see how desperate the status quo is, how little progress is being made and how we need to do something soon.