Social Norms and the Problem of the Commons
Thursday, 04 March 2010, 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Professor E. Somanathan, Indian Statistical Institute
Abstract
This talk will discuss the ‘tragedy’ of the commons—how the absence of private property rights in resources leads to their over-exploitation. It examines ways in which the tragedy can be overcome: privatisation, government regulation or taxation, negotiated agreements, and selfgovernance backed by social norms. It will be seen that the last solution throws some light on the evolution of human ‘moral sentiments’.
Biography
Dr E. Somanathan is a professor and head of the Planning Unit at the Indian Statistical Institute. His research interests include evolutionary models of behaviour, focussed on environmental and development economics. Professor Somanathan received his PhD from Harvard University.
Professor E. Somanathan has been invited to Motu as part of our FoRST-funded programme ‘Cooperation and Coordination’. This programme will provide empirical evidence and a clear conceptual framework to encourage cooperation, enabling the Emissions Trading System (ETS) to be applied effectively in agriculture.