Definitions for "Tragedy of the commons"
a term coined by Garrett Hardin describing the inexorable process of degradation of communal resources due to selfish self-interest of "free riders" who use or destroy more than their fair share of common property.
An inexorable process of degradation of communal resources due to selfish self-interest of ¡§free riders¡¨ who use or destroy more than their fair share of common property. See open access systems.
Ecological metaphor calling attention to the overuse and eventual destruction of free-range grazing land.