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Abstract
This paper will be exploring the concept of Tragedy of the Commons in two Sub-Sahara
Countries: Madagascar and Nigeria. Through extensive research we will discuss the
possibility of Tragedy of the Commons, and its occurrence in these countries. We are going
to study how much it has impacted the current population and also how devastating it may
be to the up and coming generations. There will be examples provided. The claim will be
supported with evidence and economic theory.
Tragedy of the Commons
Tragedy of the Commons is a serious economic problem in which the demand for
resources overwhelms the supply. This occurs when individuals are selfish and think about
their own well-being instead of the well-being of society as a whole. It is like a parable
that shows us why common resources are used beyond the supply. There are many
countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that are negatively affected by such parable. Madagascar
and Nigeria are two of the many countries that are negatively affected. In order to fix the
cause, we have to understand the underlying problem. (What)
It all starts with a common resource. For the sake of this example, we will use grass and
sheep. In order to raise sheep, they need to have an abundant supply of grass. In the early
stages of a community, there is plenty of grass per the amount of sheep. As more people
learn of an area with great resources, they move to this land bringing their sheep so their
animal can flourish as well. Before they know it, there are too many sheep needing grass
and not enough grass to feed them. This situation is referred to as a tragedy of the
commons. Eventually, the common resource has run dry and poverty-like signs start to
show. (Mankiw, 2015, p. 223)
Madagascar’s population density has greatly increased over the past 40 years. According to
Trading Economics, Madagascar averaged 15 people per square kilometer in 1980. In
1998, they grew to 25 people per square kilometer. In the most recent findings in 2014,
there are 40.52 people per square kilometer. This is a clear indication that the amount of
people requiring common resources has greatly increased. (Population)
Madagascar has reached a rural poverty. While the population doubled in the past 25 years,
the capital income rate has dropped 40 percent. (Rural) Malagasy farmers are not able to
grow enough food to feed their family. Because of the great increase in the population,
