Sustainable earth: Nobel laureate, Elinor Ostrom, on how can we manage common-pool resources

Summary

The video discusses common pool resources, such as fisheries, and their challenges in exclusion and management. It contrasts these with public goods like peace and security, which are non-subtractable. The speaker argues for the importance of local, negotiated rules over centralization or privatization in managing these resources, emphasizing the need for diverse and complex solutions to global problems.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Common pool resources are shared resources that are difficult to exclude people from and where use by one party can deplete the resource for others, such as fisheries.
• 🚫 The concept of exclusion is central to distinguishing between common pool resources and public goods; the latter, like peace and security, can be enjoyed by all without depletion.
• 🔄 Subtractability is a key characteristic that differentiates common pool resources from public goods, where the use by one does not subtract from the availability to others.
• 🤝 Centralization and privatization are not the only solutions to managing resources; communities can also establish successful common property regimes based on mutual understanding.
• 🌱 The success of common property regimes often relies on local knowledge and negotiation, which may not be easily replicated or understood on a global scale.
• 🌍 Developing a common set of rules for resource management at a global level is challenging due to the need for negotiation and the diversity of contexts.
• 🏗️ Local rules can be effective if they are tailored to the specific context and needs of the community, which contrasts with a one-size-fits-all approach.
• 📚 The speaker expresses discouragement with current academic work, suggesting a need for a shift in thinking about resource management and property regimes.
• 💡 There is a call for multi-level thinking and an appreciation of the diversity and complexity of resource management, rather than rejecting these aspects.
• 🚀 The speaker believes there is potential for improvement in how we approach resource management, but this requires changing our current narrow perspectives.
• 😔 If we continue with the current narrow ways of thinking, the speaker is very discouraged about the prospects for effective resource management and understanding.

Q & A

What are common pool resources?

Common pool resources refer to a variety of resources that are difficult to exclude people from using, and where usage by one person can diminish the availability for others, such as a fishery where taking fish reduces the amount available to others.

How do common pool resources differ from public goods?

Common pool resources and public goods both have difficulty in excluding people from using them. However, the key difference is that common pool resources are subtractable, meaning that use by one person can deplete the resource for others, unlike public goods where use by one does not diminish the availability for others, such as peace and security in a neighborhood.

What is the challenge in creating a common property regime?

Creating a common property regime is challenging because it requires individuals to come together and establish a set of rules that they understand and agree upon, which may not be easily understood or accepted by outsiders.

Why might centralization or privatization not always be the best solutions for managing resources?

Centralization or privatization are not the only solutions for successful systems because they may not account for the local knowledge and practices that can lead to more sustainable and effective management of resources through common property regimes.

What are the difficulties in establishing global rules for common pool resources?

Establishing global rules for common pool resources is difficult because it requires negotiation and agreement among diverse stakeholders, which can be complex due to varying interests, cultural differences, and power dynamics.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of local rules for managing common pool resources?

The speaker believes that local rules can be very effective in managing common pool resources if they are tailored to the specific context and needs of the community, rather than relying solely on global or centralized approaches.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to improve the management of common pool resources?

The speaker suggests that changing the way we think about these problems, embracing multi-level thinking, and understanding the diversity and complexity of resource management can lead to better solutions for managing common pool resources.

How does the speaker feel about the current state of academic work related to common pool resources?

The speaker expresses discouragement with the current state of academic work, implying that there is a need for a shift in perspective and approach to better address the challenges of managing common pool resources.

What is the speaker's outlook on the future of common pool resource management?

The speaker is cautiously optimistic, stating that there is a good chance for improvement if we change our thinking and approach to resource management, but remains discouraged if we continue with narrow ways of thinking.

What role does local knowledge play in the successful management of common pool resources?

Local knowledge plays a crucial role in the successful management of common pool resources because it provides insights into the specific conditions and needs of the community, allowing for the development of tailored and effective management strategies.

How can we encourage more sustainable and effective management of common pool resources?

Encouraging more sustainable and effective management of common pool resources can be achieved by promoting multi-level thinking, valuing local knowledge, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to develop inclusive and adaptable management strategies.