When does tragedy of commons occur?

The tragedy of the commons occurs when individuals, acting in their self-interest, overuse and deplete a shared resource, leading to its degradation and eventual collapse. This phenomenon typically arises in situations where resources are collectively owned or accessible, such as fisheries, forests, or grazing lands. Without effective management or regulation, the incentive to maximize short-term gains results in long-term negative consequences for the entire community. Ultimately, this leads to a conflict between individual interests and the collective good.